Department for Transport

Railway Stations: Disability

James Cartlidge: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 21 July 2016 to Question 43142, what progress he has made on providing a further round of accessibility funding for (a) lifts and (b) other accessibility devices at mainline railway stations; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Maynard: We remain committed to improving access at stations and building on the success of the Access for All programme. We will therefore be seeking additional funding for the programme in the next rail control period from 2019 to 2024 and we will announce later this year the Government’s railway funding and high level strategy for this period.

Northern Rail: Rolling Stock

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, which rolling stock on Northern Rail is (a) compliant with rail vehicle accessibility regulations and (b) has been given exemptions from rail vehicle accessibility regulations.

Paul Maynard: Accessibility standards for trains operated on the mainline are set out in either the Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations 1998 or the Persons of Reduced Mobility Technical Specification for Interoperability (PRM-TSI) (under the Railways (Interoperability) Regulations 2011). The following units are either built or have been upgraded to these standards:Class 144; 1x2 car unit, , Class 321/9 – 3x4 car units, Class 322 – 5x4 car units, Class 333 – 16x4 car units. The following fleets are currently undergoing upgrade programmes which are phased over a period of time. Accordingly, some units in each of these fleets will already have been upgraded, while others are scheduled to be upgraded between now and the end of 2019. The Department does not hold ‘live’ information about the number of units of each fleet that have been upgraded to date.  The fleets are:Class 150/1 – 47x2 car units, Class 150/2 – 11x2 car units, Class 155 – 7x2 car units, Class 156 – 24x2 car units, Class 158/0 – 8x3 car units, Class 319/3 – 6x4 car units. Other fleets currently operated by Northern which are to be retained after 1 January 2020 must be upgraded by the end of 2019. Northern will however be introducing 281 new rail vehicles by 2019 to replace outdated rolling stock. Under the Railways (Interoperability) Regulations 2011, the Secretary of State has power to grant dispensations from the requirement to comply with one or more standards of the PRM-TSI. The following classes of vehicle operated by Northern have been granted dispensations: Class 150, Class 156, Class 319/3, Class 321/9, Class 322. We are currently reviewing a request for dispensation for Class 158 vehicles. Details of the dispensations granted can be found on our website: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/heavy-rail-fleets-2020-targeted-compliance . No exemptions have been granted against the Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations 1998.

Northern Rail: Rolling Stock

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, which rail vehicle accessibility regulations apply to (a) existing rolling stock on Northern Rail and (b) new rolling stock to be delivered for Northern Rail.

Paul Maynard: Accessibility standards for existing rolling stock operated on the mainline are set out in either the Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations 1998 or the Persons of Reduced Mobility Technical Specification for Interoperability (PRM-TSI) (under the Railways (Interoperability) Regulations 2011). Newly built rolling stock which will enter in to service for Northern Rail must be built to the PRM-TSI standard.

Govia Thameslink Railway

Helen Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much and for what reasons compensation has been paid by Govia Thameslink to passengers under the Consumer Rights Act 2015.

Paul Maynard: The Government is not required to collect information on compensation paid by train operators to their customers under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, which came into force for all transport providers on 1 October 2016, and does not hold this information.

Southern

Helen Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much and for what reasons compensation has been paid by Southern Rail to passengers under the Consumer Rights Act 2015.

Paul Maynard: The Government is not required to collect information on compensation paid by train operators to their customers under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, which came into force for all transport providers on 1 October 2016, and does not hold this information. It is the responsibility of train operators to ensure that their customers are made aware of their rights to compensation or other redress in cases of service failure or disruption. Train operators’ existing compensation schemes provide the main means of redress for passengers.

Southeastern

Helen Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much and for what reasons compensation has been paid by South Eastern to passengers under the Consumer Rights Act 2015.

Paul Maynard: The Government is not required to collect information on compensation paid by train operators to their customers under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, which came into force for all transport providers on 1 October 2016, and does not hold this information. It is the responsibility of train operators to ensure that their customers are made aware of their rights to compensation or other redress in cases of service failure or disruption. Train operators’ existing compensation schemes provide the main means of redress for passengers.

Railways: Compensation

Helen Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps the Government is taking to provide passengers with information on their rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 related to train companies' compliance with consumer law.

Paul Maynard: It is the responsibility of train operators, as service providers, to ensure that their customers are made aware of their rights to compensation or other redress in cases of service failure or disruption. Train operators’ own compensation schemes provide the main means of redress for passengers. My Department has worked with the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), industry and consumer groups to identify actions to improve passenger awareness of their rights to claim compensation, including all options open to them. The ORR has also been working with the Rail Delivery Group and individual train operators over the last year to raise their awareness of the Consumer Rights Act 2015 (CRA) and their obligations under it. The Consumer Rights Act 2015 came into force for all transport providers on 1 October 2016. Information about the Consumer Rights Act is widely available from the Citizens Advice Consumer Service, consumer organisations and government websites. Transport Focus, the independent transport user watchdog, has produced a guide to passengers’ rights under the Consumer Rights Act, which is available on their website.

Public Transport: Tickets

Helen Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress has been made on opening up the retail ticketing market to third party retailers and new market entrants.

Paul Maynard: In the Action Plan for Information on Rail Fares and Ticketing, launched on 13 December 2016, the Department committed to working with the Rail Delivery Group and recent market entrants to identify regulatory changes which will remove the barriers to entry for new entrants by June this year. A number of steps will be taken to open up the ticket retail market, enabling third party retailers to play a greater role. This should lead to increased competition, and better outcomes for consumers. The overall Action Plan is a set of stretching actions to drive real improvement for passengers. Progress is reviewed regularly, working towards two key reports as set out in the Action Plan.

Diesel Vehicles: Exhaust Emissions

Justin Madders: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with the (a) Mayor of London and (b) Greater Manchester Combined Authority on additional toxicity charges for diesel vehicles.

Mr John Hayes: The Secretary of State engages with local authorities and the Mayor of London to ensure local and central government work together in the best possible way to improve air quality; both through the adoption of Clean Air Zones and other measures. We are working closely with the cities of Birmingham, Leeds, Nottingham, Derby and Southampton, where we are requiring Clean Air Zones to be introduced and other local authorities can introduce Clean Air Zones should they wish to do so using their powers under the Transport Act 2000. We will set out further measures later this year including a revised air quality plan by 24 April 2017 and publishing a final plan by 31 July 2017.

Utilities: Road Works

Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will take steps to improve the co-ordination of the work of telephone, electricity, gas and broadband companies on required road and pavement works in the same location.

Andrew Jones: The New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 already requires local authorities to co-ordinate all utility works on the highway and for utility companies to co-operate with that role. The Traffic Management Act 2004 allows authorities to introduce street works permit schemes which give them greater powers to proactively co-ordinate all works, including their own, to minimise disruption for road users. The Government supports the use of permit schemes, which currently operate or are being developed in over half of authorities, and would welcome their introduction across the remaining authorities.

Sustrans

Chris Law: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what contracts the Government has awarded to Sustrans for the administration and disbursal of government funding for cycle schemes since 2010.

Chris Law: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the value is of government contracts awarded to Sustrans for the administration and disbursal of government funding for cycle schemes since 2010.

Andrew Jones: Since 2010, the Department for Transport has awarded the following amounts to Sustrans for the administration and disbursal of government funding for cycle schemes in England. As there are separate funding arrangements for devolved administrations, the Department does not hold corresponding information for Scotland or Wales. 2013-14Cycle Safety Fund£20m2013-14Community Linking Places Fund (Tranche 2£7.5m2012-13Linking Places Fund Tranche 1£8m2011-12Links to Schools£8m

Department for Communities and Local Government

Private Rented Housing: Birmingham

Mr Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 28 February 2017 to Question 64623, on rented housing, how much funding for help to rent projects the Government has provided to Birmingham City Council in each of the last 10 years.

Gavin Barwell: Holding answer received on 07 March 2017



The Government is committed to preventing homelessness. It is essential that vulnerable people have access to good quality private rented sector accommodation.As part of the almost £14 million investment from 2010 to 2016 for the Crisis access to private rented sector accommodation programme, projects in Birmingham received £194, 000 across two projects from 2011-2014. These worked to help young people access the private rented sector and secure sustainable move-on accommodation.In addition, through our £50 million Homelessness Prevention Programme, Birmingham will receive £1,700,000 in Trailblazer funding to focus on early interventions. We are also investing £400,000 in Solihull and Birmingham to identify those at risk of rough sleeping, and support them into sustainable accommodation.

Homelessness: Temporary Accommodation

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, with reference to paragraph 3.14 of the Autumn Statement 2015, when the Government plans to make additional funding available to local authorities to replace the removed management fee previously paid for each homeless household in temporary accommodation.

Mr Marcus Jones: My Department's new grant, which is replacing the Department of Work and Pensions' (DWP) Temporary Accommodation Management Fee, will give councils more control and flexibility over homelessness budgets.We expect the funding under the new grant to be made available in April, and we will be announcing allocations very shortly. We have already provided local authorities with the assurance that we would aim that no authority will receive less in 2017/18 than we estimate they would have received under the DWP fee (assuming increasing demand in line with recent national trends). I can confirm that this will be the case.

Affordable Housing: Greater London

Neil Coyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, if he will take steps through measures introduced at the Spring Budget 2017 to ensure that the definition of affordable housing used by the Government reflects trends in the London housing market.

Gavin Barwell: I refer the Hon Member to my answer on 7 March to Question UIN 65702.

Hostels: Domestic Visits

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what the dates of each visit were to a homeless hostel for young people by (a) himself and (b) each Minister in his Department since he came into post.

Mr Marcus Jones: The Department for Communities and Local Government has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Starter Home Initiative

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 23 February 2017 to Question 63713, how many starter homes his Department aims to be built over the course of the current Parliament.

Gavin Barwell: Starter homes will form an important part of our programmes to help over 200,000 people become home owners by the end of the Parliament. The number delivered will depend on what local authorities consider most appropriate to respond to housing need in their area.

Non-domestic Rates: Sports

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 3 March 2017 to Question 65295, what assessment he has made of the financial effect of business rate changes on community and amateur sports clubs; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Marcus Jones: Rateable values are set independently of Ministers by the Valuation Office Agency. Community and amateur sports clubs already receive a mandatory 80 per cent relief on their business rates and local authorities have discretion to top this up. The Government has put in place a £3.6 billion package of transitional relief to support those businesses facing an increase.Additionally, my Department has been working closely with the Treasury to determine how best to provide further support to those businesses with the steepest increases. A package of support was subsequently announced at the Budget on 8 March. It includes £110 million to support ratepayers losing small business rates relief and rural rate relief as a result of the 2017 revaluation, as well as a £300 million discretionary relief fund for local authorities to help individual businesses that are having the greatest difficulties paying increased rates bills.

Community Care: Learning Disability

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to ensure that social care funding is available for people with a learning disability at the same level as that for elderly people.

Mr Marcus Jones: Local government has autonomy to determine how best to manage its own finances to ensure it delivers the appropriate level of services for its residents whether that is for people with learning disabilities or elderly people receiving social care.

Non-domestic Rates: Farmers

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the net financial effect of business rate changes on farmers in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Marcus Jones: The Department for Communities and Local Government has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Housing Benefit: Young People

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, on which dates (a) he and (b) his predecessors have had discussions with Ministers in the Department for Work and Pensions on ending of automatic entitlement to housing benefit for 18 to 21 year olds.

Mr Marcus Jones: The Department for Communities and Local Government and the Department for Work and Pensions work closely together to ensure that our policy priorities are aligned. The two Departments are in regular contact at Ministerial level.

Housing Benefit: Young People

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, on which dates (a) he and (b) his predecessors have had discussions with homelessness charities on ending automatic entitlement to housing benefit for 18 to 21 year olds.

Mr Marcus Jones: The Department for Communities and Local Government has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Business: Digital Technology

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to Part 4 of the Digital Strategy released on 1 March 2017, what estimate his Department has made of the number of businesses the Productivity Council will connect, in person, to share what good looks like.

Mr Nick Hurd: Once established, the Productivity Council will seek to connect businesses through peer to peer networks and by sign-posting existing initiatives, as well as engaging directly with businesses in its own right. As part of these efforts, the Productivity Council will look to support and amplify the work of Local Enterprise Partnerships and Growth Hubs. The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has made no estimate of the number of peer-to-peer connections the Productivity Council will facilitate. Such forecasts will be discussed in the context of providing government funding for the establishment of the Productivity Council.

Pay

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to the Government's campaign launched on 27 February 2017 to increase low paid workers' knowledge of national minimum and national living wage rights, how workers who identify a problem should seek to reclaim any arrears if they are unable to take their employer to an employment tribunal.

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to the Government's campaign launched on 27 February 2017 to increase low paid workers' knowledge of national minimum and national living wage rights, what advice and support is available to employees to challenge their employers on their rights regarding pay.

Margot James: Acas provides free and confidential advice to employers, workers and their representatives on employment rights, including the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage, via their helpline, which is available on 0300 123 1100. The helpline has a free translation service for over 100 languages. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) are responsible for investigating breaches of minimum wage law, and anyone who thinks they have been paid less than their legal entitlement can make a complaint to HMRC either by contacting the Acas helpline, or by filling out our online pay and work rights complaints form, which can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pay-and-work-rights-complaints. HMRC will respond to every complaint they receive.

Business: Females

Gareth Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to the Answer of 1 March 2017 to Question 65481, how many and what proportion of the 2016 Queen's Award for Enterprise awards were presented to women in the (a) International Trade, (b) Innovation and (c) Sustainable Development category.

Margot James: I refer my Hon Friend to my reply to the hon Member for Kingston upon Hull North (Diana Johnson) to Question UIN 65481. Queen’s Awards for Enterprise in the categories of International Trade, Innovation and Sustainable Development recognise the achievements of companies, not individuals; therefore gender statistics are not available.

Employment: Disadvantaged

Grahame Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he is taking to increase levels of employment in areas of high deprivation.

Margot James: Through the £12bn Local Growth Fund programme Government has given local areas the tools to grow their own economies, creating opportunities for local residents.In addition, Government oversees the distribution of the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) through the £5.6m ESIF Growth Programme for England; which is allocated on the basis of need, and seeks to concentrate resources in a way that reduces regional imbalances, and promotes growth across the whole of the country.

Energy: Meters

Dr Alan Whitehead: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to the Answer of 8 February 2017 to Question 63711, what measures the Government has put in place to prohibit energy suppliers from charging households upfront for the costs of smart meters and their installation.

Jesse Norman: Gas Supply Licence Condition (SLC) 35.7-35.9[1] and Electricity SLC 41.7-41.9[2] put in place measures to prevent suppliers from charging for domestic smart meter installation costs in a one-off or upfront sum.  [1] https://epr.ofgem.gov.uk/Content/Documents/Gas%20supply%20standard%20licence%20conditions%20consolidated%20-%20Current%20Version.pdf[2] https://epr.ofgem.gov.uk//Content/Documents/Electricity%20Supply%20Standard%20Licence%20Conditions%20Consolidated%20-%20Current%20Version.pdf

Natural Gas: Reserves

Tom Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what his most recent estimate is of UK gas reserves; and what independent sources his Department uses to validate those estimates.

Jesse Norman: BEIS is guided by the Oil and Gas Authority’s (OGA) estimate of UK gas reserves. The 2016 range of estimates of UK gas reserves is from 207 billion cubic metres (bcm) to 446 bcm with a central estimate of 333 bcm. In addition, there are contingent resources in significant discoveries where development plans are under discussion. These are estimated to range between 26 bcm and 89 bcm. The OGA collects data directly from operators and also has access to proprietary estimates of remaining commercial reserves from specialist energy consultancy Wood Mackenzie.

Coal

Alan Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, when he plans to publish his response to the Coal generation in Great Britain, the pathway to a low-carbon future consultation, published in November 2016; and if he will make a statement.

Jesse Norman: The consultation on Coal generation in Great Britain, the pathway to a low-carbon future closed on 8 February 2017. We are currently reviewing the responses received and will be publishing our response in due course.

Green Investment Bank

Conor McGinn: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how much funding the Green Investment Bank has provided in (a) St Helens North constituency, (b) Merseyside and (c) the UK in each financial year since its creation.

Mr Nick Hurd: The UK Green Investment Bank plc (GIB) has helped finance two projects in the Merseyside area. In December 2013, GIB committed £20m to the design, build and operation of a new ‘energy from waste’ plant on behalf of the Merseyside Waste Disposal Authority. The facility, located in Teesside, will each year convert into energy more than 420,000 tonnes of residual waste from six boroughs in the Merseyside area, including St Helens North. The project has created approximately 75 permanent jobs, in addition to more than 100 jobs during the construction phase. In November 2014, GIB committed £30.1m to a new Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Plant in Widnes the North West’s largest waste wood renewable power facility. The project has created more than 200 construction jobs and around 20 full time jobs in the operational phase. In addition, some of GIB’s UK wide investment platforms such as its indirect investments in LED lighting upgrades to Santander branches and NCP car parks are likely to have benefitted Merseyside including St Helens North. GIB provides a full list of its investments for each financial year on its website: www.greeninvestmentbank.com

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy: Staff

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what proportion of Civil Service positions in his Department was vacant for a week or longer in each year since 2010; and what the average turnover rate for civil servants in his Department has been in each year since 2010.

Margot James: The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) was created on 17 July 2016. Information regarding the proportion of positions vacant for a week or longer is not held centrally as each business area manages its vacancies. As the Department has existed for less than 12 months, an average turnover rate is not available at this time.Information on the proportion of Civil Service positions vacant for a week or longer and average turnover rates since 2010 in each of BEIS’s predecessor Departments is not held centrally and would incur disproportionate costs to calculate.

Carbon Emissions

Dr Alan Whitehead: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what discussions he has had on the title of the forthcoming emissions reduction plan.

Mr Nick Hurd: The Government is engaging across businesses, industry and other stakeholders on a range of issues relating to its plan for emissions reduction over the 2020s.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Azerbaijan: World Trade Organisation

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the progress of negotiations on the potential accession of Azerbaijan to the World Trade Organisation.

Boris Johnson: Azerbaijan’s World Trade Organisation accession negotiations were launched on 30 June 1997. Negotiations continue to take place. The most recent meeting of the Working Party on Azerbaijan was on 22 July 2016. We look forward to further progress towards Azerbaijan’s accession.

Azerbaijan: Constitutions

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his counterpart in Azerbaijan on the implementation of constitutional reforms in that country.

Boris Johnson: The UK closely follows constitutional reform in Azerbaijan via our Embassy in Baku and regularly discusses the implications of the last year’s constitutional referendum at official level with the Government of Azerbaijan. The Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Rutland and Melton (Sir Alan Duncan) met most recently with Azerbaijan Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov on 18 February 2017.

Armenia: EU External Relations

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the progress of negotiations on a revised Association Agreement between the EU and Armenia; and when he expects such an agreement to be finalised.

Boris Johnson: ​The negotiations of the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement between the EU and Armenia were successfully concluded on 26 February 2017. The initialling and signature of the agreement is likely to take place in the coming months.

Armenia: Elections

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the progress of the Government of Armenia in implementing the recommendations made by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institution and Human Rights since its monitoring mission to that country in 2013.

Boris Johnson: We assess that the Government of Armenia has made progress in implementing the recommendations of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institution and Human Rights (ODIHR) to improve electoral processes since its 2013 monitoring mission. While the preparations for and conduct of the December 2015 constitutional referendum fell below expected standards, we welcome the more consultative approach adopted by the Government of Armenia in drafting and adopting a new electoral code in 2016. The UK continues to lobby for further progress and to fund projects to enhance prospects for free and fair elections.In the run-up to the April 2017 parliamentary elections, we have provided international expertise on electoral dispute resolution to the Central Electoral Commission; and, as part of an international partnership, are contributing to a United Nations Development Programme-led project to implement the newly-adopted electoral code to increase voter understanding of and trust in the electoral process.

Azerbaijan: EU External Relations

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the progress of negotiations on a comprehensive agreement between the EU and Azerbaijan; and what the Government's policy is on the potential scope of such an agreement.

Boris Johnson: ​Negotiations on a comprehensive agreement between the EU and Azerbaijan were launched on 7 February 2017 and will gather momentum over the course of the coming months. The EU’s negotiating mandate was adopted on 14 November 2016. Enhancing cooperation between the EU and Azerbaijan is in the UK’s interest.

Armenia: Violence

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the level of politically-motivated violence in Armenia.

Boris Johnson: Political protests occur in Armenia but only infrequently result in violence. The most recent incidence of politically-motivated violence occurred in July/August 2016 around the siege of the Erebuni police station in Yerevan by armed gunmen and demonstrations by their supporters.

Nagorno Karabakh

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the security situation in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the conduct of the referendum held in Nagorno-Karabakh on 20 February 2017.

Boris Johnson: The UK remains concerned about the high tension in the security situation around Nagorno-Karabakh, which has manifested itself in several recent violations of the cease-fire regime between Azerbaijani and Armenian forces, most recently in late February 2017. We have repeatedly called on both Armenia and Azerbaijan to exercise restraint, ensure full observance of the agreed ceasefire regime, and engage constructively and intensively in the search for a negotiated peaceful settlement to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict through the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Process. We shall continue to convey this message via our diplomatic contacts with both Baku and Yerevan.Along with our EU partners, the UK has made clear that we do not recognise the legal and constitutional framework within which the so-called referendum that took place in Nagorno- Karabakh on 20 February 2017 was held. We share our EU partners’ view that this referendum cannot be allowed to impact on the process of negotiating a peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict via the OSCE Minsk Process.

Libya: Oil

Danny Kinahan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the effect of increased revenue from oil production in Libya on the effectiveness of economic sanctions imposed on that country.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: ​The increase in Libya's oil production is a welcome development and should provide additional government revenue to enable the delivery of public services. As production increases, it is important that the international community remains vigilant to ensure the effective enforcement of the sanctions reaffirmed under UN Security Council Resolution 2278 against any attempts to divert oil revenue from legitimate channels, including by parallel institutions that claim to be the legitimate authority but are outside of the Libyan Political Agreement. UN Security Council Resolutions 2259 and 2278 highlight the importance of the Libyan State financial institutions, including the National Oil Corporation, the Central Bank of Libya, and the Libyan Investment Authority, continuing to function for the benefit of all Libyans.

United Arab Emirates: Detainees

Martyn Day: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many Scottish people are detained in the United Arab Emirates.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: According to our latest statistics as of November 2016, we are currently providing consular assistance to 47 British nationals who have been detained in the United Arab Emirates. British nationals are not obliged to report their detention to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) if they do not wish to. The FCO does not record information about where in the UK they originated from.

UN Human Rights Council: Religious Freedom

Alan Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to fulfil its UN Human Rights Council election pledge to stand up for freedom of religion or belief.

Alok Sharma: Her Majesty's Government remains firmly committed to the promotion and protection of Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) in all countries.We regularly discuss issues related to FoRB with foreign governments. For example, we raise our concerns when practices and laws discriminate against people on the basis of their religion or belief. We also raise individual cases. We work to sustain consensus on the adoption and implementation of the key UN Resolutions sponsored by the European Union and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation at the UN Human Rights Council. We support projects through the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's (FCO) Magna Carta Fund for Human Rights and Democracy. In October 2016, the FCO hosted a groundbreaking international conference to highlight the relevance of FRoB to global efforts to counter violent extremism.

Bahrain: UN Human Rights Council

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what the Government's policy is on the proposed Swiss statement at the UN Human Rights Council on Bahrain; and if he will make a statement.

Boris Johnson: We understand the Swiss are no longer proposing a statement on Bahrain at the UN Human Rights Council. The UK plans to reference Bahrain in our National Statement under Item Two.The UK will continue to engage the Government of Bahrain on its reform agenda, and where we have concerns about human rights we will continue to raise them at an appropriate level, both in private and in public.

Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether the Government plans to ratify Protocol V of the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons.

Boris Johnson: ​The British Government continues to keep its ratification of Protocol Five of the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW) under review. The UK has ratified the remaining four protocols of the CCW, including Amended Protocol II and the Amendment to Article One, and remains fully supportive of the Convention's work.

Attorney General

Attorney General: ICT

Justin Madders: To ask the Attorney General, how much the Law Officers' Departments spent on (a) iPads and tablets and (b) paper in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

Robert Buckland: An error has been identified in the written answer given on 08 March 2017.The correct answer should have been:

GLD expenditure on IPads and tablets (including VAT): 2012: nil2013: nil2014: £12,252.002015: nil2016: £24,933.12 GLD has consistently consumed 13,960 boxes (69,800 reams) of paper per annum for the last 5 years. The cost for the period 2016-17 to date was £76,241. Accurate costs for earlier periods cannot be determined except at disproportionate cost since they form part of composite billing for all stationery. HMCPSI Expenditure on IPads and tablets (including VAT): 2012: nil2013: nil2014: nil2015: nil2016: nil Accurate costs for paper purchases cannot be determined except at disproportionate cost since they form part of composite billing for all stationery. CPS and AGO The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has not spent any money on iPads in the last five years. The CPS, including the Attorney General’s Office, spend on tablets over the last five years has been provided in the table below: Year Cost of Tablet including VAT(£)2012 75,4122013 02014 02015 46,0772016 25,885**costs are estimated for 2016 (b) The CPS estimates that it has spent the following amounts on paper over the last 5 years: Year Cost (£)2012* 1,120,9042013* 926,6092014** 983,8022015** 847,4312016** 445,717* costs for 2012 and 2013 are based on historic data provided by CPS stationery suppliers** costs for 2014, 2015 and 2016 are estimated and based on total stationery spend for the periods.To identify all expenditure that relates solely and specifically to paper would involve the manual checking of thousands of invoices and would incur a disproportionate cost.Accurate costs for AGO paper purchases cannot be determined except at disproportionate cost since they form part of composite billing for all stationery.SFO The SFO does not separately record paper costs from overall stationery expenditure.Stationery Year Cost (£) 2012-13 64,0942013-14 69,6572014-15 74,7502015-16 52,7212016-17* 40,916 iPads & Tablets Year Cost (£)2012-13 02013-14 10,4232014-15 02015-16 02016-17* 9,475*Spend as at 31/01/2017

Robert Buckland: GLD expenditure on IPads and tablets (including VAT): 2012: nil2013: nil2014: £12,252.002015: nil2016: £24,933.12 GLD has consistently consumed 13,960 boxes (69,800 reams) of paper per annum for the last 5 years. The cost for the period 2016-17 to date was £76,241. Accurate costs for earlier periods cannot be determined except at disproportionate cost since they form part of composite billing for all stationery. HMCPSI Expenditure on IPads and tablets (including VAT): 2012: nil2013: nil2014: nil2015: nil2016: nil Accurate costs for paper purchases cannot be determined except at disproportionate cost since they form part of composite billing for all stationery. CPS and AGO The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has not spent any money on iPads in the last five years. The CPS, including the Attorney General’s Office, spend on tablets over the last five years has been provided in the table below: Year Cost of Tablet including VAT(£)2012 75,4122013 02014 02015 46,0772016 25,885**costs are estimated for 2016 (b) The CPS estimates that it has spent the following amounts on paper over the last 5 years: Year Cost (£)2012* 1,120,9042013* 926,6092014** 983,8022015** 847,4312016** 445,717* costs for 2012 and 2013 are based on historic data provided by CPS stationery suppliers** costs for 2014, 2015 and 2016 are estimated and based on total stationery spend for the periods.To identify all expenditure that relates solely and specifically to paper would involve the manual checking of thousands of invoices and would incur a disproportionate cost.Accurate costs for AGO paper purchases cannot be determined except at disproportionate cost since they form part of composite billing for all stationery.SFO The SFO does not separately record paper costs from overall stationery expenditure.Stationery Year Cost (£) 2012-13 64,0942013-14 69,6572014-15 74,7502015-16 52,7212016-17* 40,916 iPads & Tablets Year Cost (£)2012-13 02013-14 10,4232014-15 02015-16 02016-17* 9,475*Spend as at 31/01/2017

Department for International Development

Africa and Yemen: Famine

Patrick Grady: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment her Department has made of the risk of famine in (a) Nigeria, (b) Yemen and (c) Somalia.

James Wharton: There is a credible risk of four famines in 2017: South Sudan (where famine has already been declared), Nigeria, Yemen and Somalia. We assess that in Yemen and Somalia the situation is deteriorating, whilst in Nigeria the situation may be beginning to improve in areas that the international community can access. This assessment is based on data from a number of sources, and corroborated with global experts from a range of international agencies.We have issued a call to action to the international community to step up their response; provided lifesaving treatment for acute malnutrition, food, water and emergency healthcare; and are working closely with other donors and partners to ensure a more efficient and effective response to the crises.

Developing Countries: Famine

Patrick Grady: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how her Department plans to provide more high-impact nutrition interventions as a means of preventing famine.

James Wharton: DFID is supporting high-impact nutrition interventions as part of our response in Yemen, South Sudan, Nigeria and Somalia, and in many other countries where malnutrition remains of concern. This includes treatment for acute malnutrition and support for safe infant and young child feeding. In all four famine-risk countries, nutrition interventions are being provided alongside other services, such as food assistance, essential health support and provision of water, sanitation and hygiene services to help address the causes of malnutrition and to help avert famine.

Palestinian Authority

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what her policy is on whether the parade held in Ramallah on 8 January 2017 constitutes a breach of her Department's partnership principles by the Palestinian Authority.

Rory Stewart: HMG is not aware of a parade held in Ramallah on 8 January 2017 that could constitute a breach by the Palestinian Authority of our partnership principles. We are aware of provocative actions by some Palestinians during the so-called ‘Martyr’s Day’ celebrations around that time. Such action makes a culture of peace and mutual respect more difficult to achieve and the UK deplores incitement on both sides of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. HMG has a regular dialogue with the PA in which we reiterate the need to prepare their population for peaceful coexistence. We consider that the track record of President Abbas and Prime Minister Hamdallah shows their commitment to non-violence.

Palestinians: Overseas Aid

Joan Ryan: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, with reference to her announcement on 16 December 2016 on future UK support to the Palestinian Territories, whether any of the teachers and other essential education public servants on the vetted list whose salaries are paid by her Department are (a) employed at, (b) oversee and (c) are responsible for the administration of the (i) Dalal Mughrabi High School for Girls in Gaza, (ii) Dalal Mughrabi High School for Girls at Al-Shuyoukh, Hebron, (iii) Dalal Mughrabi Elementary School for Girls near Hebron, (iv) Shadia Abu Ghazaleh School for Girls in Gaza, (v) Shadia Abu Ghazalah High School for Boys in Jabaliya, (vi) Kalil Al-Wazir [Abu Jihad] Elementary School for Girls in Hebron, (vii) Abu Jihad High School for Boys in Arabe, Jenin, (viii) Abu Jihad High School for Boys in Hebron, (ix) Amin Al-Husseini Elementary School in El-Bireh, (x) Salah Khalaf Elementary School in Gaza, (xi) Salah Khalaf Junior High School in Gaza, (xii) Salah Khalaf Elementary School for Boys in Al-Yamoun, (xiii) Martyr Ahmed Yassin School for Boys in Jenin, (xiv) Abu Ali Iyad High School for Girls in Qalqilya, (xv) Martyr Nash'at Abu Jabara High School for Girls in Tulkarem, (xvi) Abu Ali Mustafa Elementary School for Boys in Jenin, (xvii) Abu Ali Mustafa Elementary School for Girls in Jenin, (xviii) Hassan Salameh Elementary School in Gaza, (xix) Hassan Salameh Junior High School for Girls in Gaza, (xx) Mustafa Hafez Elementary School for Boys in Khan Younis, (xxi) Mustafa Hafez School in Gaza, (xxii) Martyr Izzat Abu Al-Rubb High School in Jenin, (xxiii) Martyr Izz Al-Din Al-Qassam High School for Boys in Qaa'bad, (xxiv) Martyr Izz Al-Din [Al-Qassam] Elementary School in Jenin and (xxv) Martyr Saddam Hussein School in Yaabad.

Rory Stewart: UK funding contributes to the salaries of all vetted health and education Palestinian Authority public servants on the EU PEGASE list, including PA teachers in the West Bank regardless of which school they are employed in. No UK funding goes to public servants working in Gaza, including in schools.

Department for Education

Schools: Data Protection

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what restrictions are placed on organisations which sell access to school websites and teachers' email addresses.

Nick Gibb: All organisations that sell access to data (of any sort) are governed by the Data Protection Act 1998, which regulates how organisations, businesses or the Government uses personal information. The Department is not able to apply any further restrictions.

Schools: Fires

Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many pupils were displaced from school buildings as a result of fire in each of the last 10 years; and for how long on average those pupils were placed in temporary classrooms.

Nick Gibb: The Department for Education does not hold data on the number of pupils displaced from school buildings as a result of fire. If a school building is rendered unusable by fire, or any other event, active steps are taken to ensure pupils have the proper access to education.

Schools: Greater London

Mr David Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the number of additional (a) school places and (b) teachers and teaching assistants that will be required in (i) Tottenham constituency, (ii) the Borough of Haringey and (iii) Greater London between 2017 and 2020.

Nick Gibb: Local authorities are responsible for ensuring there are sufficient school places for pupils. The Department collects pupil forecasts and school capacities from each local authority through the annual school capacity survey (SCAP). This data is used to allocate capital funding to local authorities to help them provide sufficient school places where they are needed. The Department’s Pupil Place Planning team then work with the Local Authorities to determine that those places are in fact being created.The capacity and forecasts data are published on an annual basis, giving local authority and regional totals, through the SCAP tables which can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-capacity-academic-year-2014-to-2015. School capacity and forecast data is not collected at a constituency level.The Department also publishes school place scorecards to show the challenges that local authorities are facing, together with the progress that they are making in providing sufficient good quality school places. The latest published scorecards, forecasting demand to 2017-18, can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/local-authority-school-places-scorecards-2015.The school place scorecards show that between 2009/10 and 2014/15, in Haringey, 2,416 primary school places and 494 secondary places were created. 450 further primary school places are planned for delivery between 2015/16 and 2017/18. The Department has estimated that Haringey needs an additional 60 primary places to meet demand in 2017/18.Over the same period, across all London local authorities, 135,000 primary places have been created, with 57,000 places planned for delivery, and an estimated 10,200 places needed to meet demand in 2017/18. In secondary, 67,000 places have been created, with 21,000 planned for delivery and an estimated 1,400 places needed to meet demand.The requested information on the number of teachers and teaching assistants that will be required in the Tottenham constituency, the Borough of Haringey, and Greater London is not available.The Department for Education uses the Teacher Supply Model (TSM) to estimate the national requirements for the number of postgraduate Initial Teacher Training places (and as part of this process, the number of qualified teachers) to meet demand. Decisions around the specific requirements for teachers and teaching assistants in individual schools are the responsibility of schools.The 2016/17 version of the TSM, which was used to inform the 2016/17 ITT recruitment process, along with a user guide explaining the methodology in detail, is available at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/teacher-supply-model.

Mathematics: Education

Jess Phillips: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to paragraph 1.89 of the Budget 2016, what progress has been made on Professor Sir Adrian Smith's review of mathematics teaching for 16 to 18 year olds; and when her Department plans to publish the terms of reference of that review.

Nick Gibb: Professor Sir Adrian Smith’s review of post-16 mathematics will be published in due course. Some of the initial findings of the review are set out in the Building our Industrial Strategy Green Paper, which can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/building-our-industrial-strategy. The terms of reference were published in July 2016, they can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/south-asian-method-of-teaching-maths-to-be-rolled-out-in-schools.

Politics: Education

Cat Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps the Government is taking to improve young people's political literacy in secondary and post-16 education.

Nick Gibb: The Government recognises the importance of improving political literacy and has ensured it is embedded within the National Curriculum as part of the citizenship programmes of study for Key Stages 3 and 4. One of the aims of citizenship education is to enable all pupils to develop a sound knowledge and understanding of how the United Kingdom is governed, its political system, and how citizens participate in its democratic systems of Government. We trust schools to use teaching materials that suit their pupils’ needs. For 16 to 19 year olds who remain in education, they are offered study programmes which bring together qualifications with other activities to prepare them for adult life. Post-16 providers have the flexibility to tailor the content of study programmes to meet the needs of the student. Where teachers bring political views to the attention of pupils, they are legally required to do so in an impartial manner, and offer a balanced presentation of opposing views. At the same time, we expect that the teaching of any issue in schools should be consistent with the principles of balance and objectivity.

University Technical Colleges

Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what her most recent estimate is of the number of pupils in each year group in each university technical college.

Nick Gibb: There are 48 open university technical colleges (UTCs). The January 2016 census is the most recently published number of pupils on roll at UTCs, which was published in June 2016. This covers all UTCs open in the 2015/16 academic year and can be found in the penultimate document (SFR20_2016_Schools_NCYear_UD) of the underlying data here:https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/532042/SFR20_2016_Underlying_Data.zipJanuary 2017 census data will be published in summer 2017.

Health Services and Social Services: Apprentices

Dr Sarah Wollaston: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether the revenue raised by the Immigration Skills Charge applied to NHS and social care sponsors of Tier 2 visas will be hypothecated for investment in apprenticeships in health and social care; and if she will make a statement.

Dr Sarah Wollaston: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate she has made of the cost of the Immigration Skills Charge to NHS and social care sponsors of Tier 2 visas in 2016-17; and if she will make a statement.

Robert Halfon: The income raised from the Immigration Skills Charge will support the provision of skills for the resident population, to address the skills gaps that employers face. Further information will be set out in due course. We have not estimated the potential annual cost to NHS and social care sponsors. The cost will depend on employer use of the Tier 2 skilled worker route.

Primary Education: Ashfield

Gloria De Piero: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate she has made of the (a) gain and (b) loss of funding for each primary school in Ashfield constituency in the first year after implementation of the new national funding formula.

Nick Gibb: Our proposals for funding reform will mean that schools and local authorities will, for the first time, receive a consistent and fair share of the schools budget. For Ashfield constituency, the proposals would mean an overall increase in schools funding of 1.2% once the proposed formula is fully implemented. In the first year of implementation, the distribution of gains and reductions for primary schools in Ashfield would be as follows:  Number of schools2% - 3% increase per pupil101% - 2% increase per pupil40%-1% increase per pupil 2%40% - 1% reduction per pupil31%-1.5% reduction per pupil12The consultation is open until 22 March, and we are keen to hear views from as many schools, governors, local authorities and parents as possible.

Children in Care

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many looked-after children, in each of the last three years for which data is available, were in facilities deemed to fall below the national minimum standards for the welfare of children set out by her Department.

Edward Timpson: This is a matter for Ofsted. I have asked Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector, Amanda Spielman, to write to the Honourable Member for Birkenhead with the information requested.

Apprentices

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to increase the number of (a) BAME people and (b) people with disabilities taking part in apprenticeships.

Robert Halfon: We are committed to ensuring that high quality apprenticeships are as accessible as possible to all people from all backgrounds. We have set an ambitious target to increase the proportion of apprenticeships started by people from BAME backgrounds by 20% by 2020. We are developing a programme of work which will seek to further increase BAME apprenticeship starts in areas where they have fewer opportunities. We are targeting the national `Get in Go Far` marketing campaign at individuals from BAME backgrounds, including showcasing BAME apprentices in high status professional roles. We are improving access to apprenticeships for people with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. This includes implementing the recommendations from the Maynard Taskforce, published in July 2016: For the first time British Sign Language can be an alternative to English Functional Skills for those whom it is their first language; we are developing new communications and guidance products; and are looking at ways to adjust the English and maths minimum requirements to enable apprentices with a learning difficulty or disability to access apprenticeships. Where an apprentice requires further learning support because they have a condition such as dyslexia, a learning difficulty or disability, providers can claim up to £150 a month to help with the costs of the adjustments they need to fully participate in their training, and more in exceptional circumstances. On 21 February 2017 we launched the Apprenticeships Diversity Champions Network. This network will be engaging and inspiring employers and communities to ensure that apprenticeships are represented by people from a diverse range of backgrounds and abilities, reflecting the widest spectrum of our society. The 23 members are tasked with championing disability in their own organisations and amongst their peers. They are committed to encouraging other employers to promote diversity in apprenticeships, and to championing apprenticeships in BAME communities. Our Technical Education reforms will support young people with special educational needs and disabilities and other vulnerable groups like care leavers.

Schools: West Sussex

Jeremy Quin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the Answer of 4 December 2015 to Question 17715, on schools in West Sussex, in what year her Department first made the distinction between fringe and non-fringe areas in West Sussex.

Jeremy Quin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the Answer of 4 December 2015 to Question 17715, on schools in West Sussex, whether the distinction between fringe and non-fringe areas in West Sussex is subject to review and if so on what basis.

Jeremy Quin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the Answer of 4 December 2015 to Question 17715, on schools in West Sussex, what criteria was used to make the decision between fringe and non-fringe areas in West Sussex.

Nick Gibb: Within West Sussex, the Crawley district forms part of the London fringe, while the rest of the local authority area is outside the fringe. The distinction is a longstanding feature of the teachers’ pay system, dating back at least 30 years. Decisions on pay, including the current geographical criteria for designating fringe areas, are based on recommendations by the School Teachers’ Review Body (STRB). This independent body was established in 1991 to examine and report on matters relating to the statutory conditions of pay and employment of school teachers in England and Wales. The STRB can review the boundaries for the fringe if requested to do so by the Secretary of State. London fringe area arrangements have been part of the mainstream school funding system since financial year 2013 to 2014. Since the school funding reforms were introduced in that year, they have been a feature of the local funding formulae in the five local authorities who have some of their schools within the London fringe area (Buckinghamshire, Essex, Hertfordshire and Kent, along with West Sussex), enabling an uplift to be applied to the affected schools’ budgets.

Ministry of Justice

Prison Sentences: Lancashire

Mr Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many prisoners in (a) HM Prison Preston, (b) HM Prison Garth, (c) HM Prison Kirkham, (d) HM Prison Wymott and (e) Lancaster Farms were over their tariff on 30 November 2016.

Mr Sam Gyimah: Figures on the number of prisoners in HM Prison Preston, HM Prison Garth, HM Prison Kirkham, HM Prison Wymott and Lancaster Farms who had served more than their minimum tariff, as at 31 December 2016, are provided in the table below. Over-tariff prisoners in selected prisons by sentence type, 31 December 2016IPPLifePreston04Garth5734Kirkham1719Wymott13456Lancaster Farms168  These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing. We are working hard to reduce the backlog of hearings involving IPP prisoners. We have set up a new unit to tackle this issue and are working with the Parole Board to improve the efficiency of the process.

Prisons: Fires

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many fire related incidents have occurred in each of Her Majesty's prisons in each of the last 12 months.

Mr Sam Gyimah: We will never compromise on the safety of those in our care, and staff are trained to respond to emergency situations in a timely, appropriate manner. All fires within establishments are reported via the Incident Reporting System from which the following data is obtained. The table below provides a full picture of all fire related incidents that have occurred in each of Her Majesty's Prison over the last 12 months. The definition of fire incidents is not reserved for deliberate acts of arson; it also covers a wide range of circumstances including accidental fires. Although the Fire Service routinely attend fire incidents in prisons, the majority are relatively minor in their nature. Fire Incidents in prisons in England and Wales, between January 2016 and December 2016 EstalishmentJan-16Feb-16Mar-16Apr-16May-16Jun-16Jul-16Aug-16Sep-16Oct-16Nov-16Dec-16TotalsAltcourse 7535317549352Ashfield  1 1Aylesbury2 1 3Bedford  553142242 28Belmarsh3 111 2  11111Birmingham511291612410114782Brinsford12155511414232Bristol981454 22266462Brixton   1   2  2 5Bronzefield1415112 412527Buckley Hall 1 1   111  5Bullingdon 1312211232119Bure321 1 1 1 2 11Cardiff5142   113Channings Wood 2  12   13211Chelmsford453 2657453549Coldingley  132 11 2 111Cookham Wood3 112 1 11  10Dartmoor1   1Deerbolt 55 8945  1643Doncaster22197143451112575Dovegate 5112324  3 21Drake Hall1   1Durham12 1   26Eastwood Park  3111 22 4115Erlestoke 3332   11Exeter5 22 11  44221Featherstone  11143313Feltham   51111 2 213Ford  1 1Forest Bank54333142144236Foston Hall  11   13Frankland 212 11  12 10Full Sutton  1 1Garth 1 15131314 20Gartree21346121 851346Glen Parva1435317563 543Grendon/Spring Hill1  1   13Guys Marsh232 41  34 120Hatfield 1  1Haverigg 1 1 22   129Hewell2 1054933183856High Down5 22676853 347Highpoint1 233143 24 23Hindley3326322 21Hollesley Bay1   1Holloway117 9Holme House11 1 113113417Hull1 1 74135 1124Humber1 1177631 2 29Huntercombe  1 1Isis12214211534531Isle of Wight532 10Kennet  1  1  2Lancaster Farms313  112 12 14Leeds11233577185346Leicester1131 211   616Lewes4115333 722 31Lincoln1 2244112311132Lindholme52462134 12333Littlehey   1   11 2 5Liverpool61 9 3235 2334Long Lartin  112Low Newton1   111 4Lowdham Grange52791464436455Maidstone  1 1 1 1   4Manchester11121 1  33 13Moorland534213461046351Morton Hall2  11 1 235 15Mount222492 2113230New Hall 21 11  5North Sea Camp  112Northumberland215 3225256235Norwich21112211366228Nottingham51037531159610478Oakwood 5333112624434Onley4314321114 226Parc21457124 31434Pentonville22433245114334Peterborough352  419628848Portland2 822231212126Preston27213  2  3121Ranby52 12 21311220Risley11 1223111Rochester6 1 111 121 14Rye Hill4   21  311416Send1   1   2Sheppey: Elmley24112322312124Sheppey: Standford Hill  1 1   2Sheppey: Swaleside7261471255771073Stocken11112 1  12 10Stoke Heath1   112 1   6Styal221  1115 2520Swansea 132  13 2  12Swinfen Hall416442 2321 29Thameside649671419137844101Thorn Cross 1  1Verne 111 11 5Wakefield 1  1 2  1  5Wandsworth84542915211143Wayland25387568354157Wealstun24   21532 120Werrington5384645215 144Wetherby745610182442154Whitemoor   1 2   22 7Winchester2133652 4441347Woodhill1115 1 3425528Wormwood Scrubs34327185332344Wymott33121 1  1  12Escort Areas  1 1

Prisoners' Release

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many times a defendant has (a) walked out of and (b) been wrongly released from court (i) before, (ii) during and (iii) after being sentenced to custody.

Mr Sam Gyimah: The breakdown of this data is not available as requested. Data on the number of offenders released in error for 2015/16 is included in the National Offender Management Service Annual Digest, which can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/553298/noms-digest-report-2015-2016.pdf. Data for 2016/17 is due to be published this summer. These incidents are rare and the vast majority are returned to custody very quickly. We thoroughly investigate each one to see what lessons can be learned, as well as working closely with the police to recapture offenders.

Berwyn Prison

Liz Saville Roberts: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many prisoners HM Prison Berwyn plans to receive over the next 12 months; and what the estimated operating cost is for the first 12 months of that prison being open to prisoners.

Mr Sam Gyimah: By the end of March 2018, it is planned that there will be 2010 men in HMP Berwyn. This will be subject to operational need. The planned operating costs for this period are estimated to be approximately £23.5m.Healthcare provision and learning and skills is the responsibility of Welsh Government and is therefore excluded from this calculation.

Berwyn Prison

Liz Saville Roberts: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the total cost of designing and building HM Prison Berwyn was.

Mr Sam Gyimah: The projected cost of construction, including design and build costs, for HM Prison Berwyn is £212m

Berwyn Prison

Liz Saville Roberts: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many staff have been recruited to work in HM Prison Berwyn to date.

Mr Sam Gyimah: Information on staffing in the National Offender Management Service, including the number of staff in HMP Berwyn, is available in our Workforce Statistics Bulletin published quarterly on gov.uk, which can be found at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/national-offender-management-service-workforce-quarterly-december-2016.

Berwyn Prison

Liz Saville Roberts: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many staff worked in HM Prison Berwyn prior to it opening to prisoners; and what the total cost of that staffing was for that time period.

Mr Sam Gyimah: Information on staffing in the National Offender Management Service, including the number of staff in HMP Berwyn, is available in our Workforce Statistics Bulletin published quarterly on gov.uk, which can be found at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/national-offender-management-service-workforce-quarterly-december-2016. The total cost of staffing HMP Berwyn as of the 31 December 2016 was £2,104,933.

Prisoners: Self-harm

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the oral contribution of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice of 1 March 2017, Official Report, column 101WH, what proportion of prison staff will take part in the national learning day for prison staff on suicide and self-harm on 14 March 2017; what activities the day will involve; and who is responsible for organising the day.

Mr Sam Gyimah: The learning day to be held on 14 March is aimed at senior managers in prisons – Governors, Deputy Governors and Heads of Safer Custody.There are 190 places available. There will be presentations by senior leaders of the National Offender Management Service and a number of stakeholders and partners, with question-and-answer sessions. Those presenting include the Chief Operating Officer of NOMS, the Chair of the Independent Advisory Panel on Deaths in Custody, the Deputy Prisons and Probation Ombudsman and representatives of the Samaritans and Public Health England.The event is being organised by officials from the Safer Custody and Public Protection Group in NOMS.In addition to this event, that is designed specifically to meet the needs of senior managers in prisons, new training on suicide and self-harm reduction, including a module on mental health awareness, is being rolled out across the estate. It will be delivered to all new prison officers from April 2017 and has been developed in modular form, so that elements of it can be used as refresher training for existing staff.

Written Questions: Government Responses

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, when she plans to Answer Question 59711, on prison fires, tabled by the hon. Member for Westmorland and Lonsdale on 12 January 2017.

Mr Sam Gyimah: PQ 59711 was answered on Thursday 9 March 2017.

Prisons: Ministers of Religion

Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what (a) Anglican, (b) Roman Catholic, (c) Free Church, (d) Muslim, (e) Hindus, (f) Sikh, (g) Jewish and (h) other faiths chaplaincy vacancies there are in each prison in England and Wales.

Mr Sam Gyimah: The information requested is not held centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Self-inflicted Deaths in Custody of 18-24 Year Olds Independent Review

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to the oral contribution of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice of 1 March 2017, Official Report, column 100WH, on suicide and self-harm in prison (England), when will the findings of the inquiry into deaths in custody be published; and whether that inquiry will include deaths in prison custody.

Mr Sam Gyimah: We are reviewing the circumstances of recent self-inflicted deaths in prison custody, with a particular focus on cases where there were known mental health concerns.This is an internal review, but we will make the key findings public as soon as they are available. Inquests into many of the deaths that are being reviewed have yet to take place, and in some cases there is ongoing litigation, so it would not be appropriate to publish details of individual cases.

Department for Culture, Media and Sport

Public Libraries: Voluntary Organisations

Mr David Nuttall: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 23 February 2017 to Question 64455, on public libraries: voluntary organisations, what support the Government is providing for library services and other public sector organisations to consider alternative funding and delivery models; and how that support can be accessed.

Mr Rob Wilson: Firstly, we have put in place dedicated support for the creation of public service mutuals.A new consortium of existing library service mutuals provides peer support for library authorities interested in exploring such models and is running two free Masterclasses in March 2017, in London and York, to share their experiences.DCMS has also provided some funding to support a number of library authorities and other organisations interested in developing new delivery models. The Libraries Taskforce’s document Libraries Deliver: Ambition for Public Libraries in England 2016 to 2021 sets out practical options on alternative funding and delivery models for library authorities. The Libraries Taskforce will run free masterclasses for library authorities on income generation and alternative funding streams. It is also supporting community managed libraries by providing advice and guidance through its Community Libraries Toolkit, and supporting the development of a peer network for community managed libraries to share good practice and assist the development of sustainable community managed library business models. The Taskforce will also publish a Toolkit offering practical guidance for library authorities considering mutuals.

Broadband: Motorways

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to page 6, Part 1 of her Department's Digital Strategy published on 1 March 2017, what estimate she has made of the 4G coverage on UK motorways provided by each of the four major operators.

Matt Hancock: Ofcom's 2016 Connected Nations Report shows that there is 4G coverage from all four mobile network operators to 77% of the UK's motorways. Connected Nations does not break this information down by individual operator.

Digital Technology: Great Grimsby

Melanie Onn: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to the Government's digital strategy, what support will be provided to Great Grimsby from the digital skills programme; and if she will make a statement.

Melanie Onn: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to the Government's digital strategy, which companies have committed to work in Great Grimsby as part of the Digital Skills Partnership.

Matt Hancock: Individuals and companies in Great Grimsby will be able to benefit from many of digital skills measures set out in the Government’s Digital Strategy. In addition the new Digital Skills Partnership will enable better coordination of opportunities and play a crucial role in ensuring that digital skills initiatives are targeted more effectively so that people in local areas such as Great Grimsby have the right skills and are able to better access digitally focused jobs. We are currently developing the scope and membership of the Digital Skills Partnership.

Public Libraries: Theft

Sir Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what estimate she has made of the (a) number and (b) cost to the public purse, of the loss of library books in the last five years; and what steps she is taking to help local authorities prevent such losses.

Mr Rob Wilson: The Department has not made an estimate of the number and cost of library books in public libraries in England that have been lost in the five years since 2012. Local library authorities are responsible for providing public library services including managing book stock available for library lending. The Libraries Taskforce is committed to working with local library authorities in England to promote improved procurement processes including of bookstock.

Digital Technology: Greater London

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what proportion of the total number of people employed in the digital economy nationally are based in London.

Matt Hancock: For statistical purposes, government defines the digital economy as “all jobs in the digital sector, as well as all those working in Digital Occupations in non-digital sectors". Data on the total number of people employed in the digital economy in each region is not readily available, however in 2015, it is estimated that 25.9% of digital sector jobs were based in London. This information is also available at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/dcms-sectors-economic-estimates-2016.

Digital Technology: Work Experience

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to her Department's press release of 1 March 2017, Digital Strategy to make Britain the best place in the world to start and grow a digital business, whether people doing work placements through the Digital Skills Partnership will be paid the living wage.

Matt Hancock: The Digital Skills partnership will encourage and support local partnerships to tackle digital skills shortages in their areas through actions such as offering work experience to local schools. It is up to companies offering work placements to determine appropriate pay levels, if relevant, at or above statutory pay levels. Further information on entitlement to the national minimum or national living wage which is dependent on age and type of work, can be found at :https://www.gov.uk/national-minimum-wage/who-gets-the-minimum-wage

Digital Technology: Training

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to her Department's press release of 1 March 2017, Digital Strategy to make Britain the best place in the world to start and grow a digital business, how many free digital training opportunities will be provided through the Digital Skills Partnership.

Matt Hancock: As set out in the Digital Strategy’s press release, more than four million free digital skills training opportunities will be created to support the aspiration of the Digital Skills Partnership and make Britain the best place in the world to start and grow a digital business and ensure our digital economy works for everyone.

Digital Technology: Greater London

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to the Digital Sector Economic Estimates 2016, published by her Department on 26 January 2016, what proportion of the gross value added of the digital sector was produced in London.

Matt Hancock: Data on regional GVA in the digital sector are not currently available. The latest available GVA estimates published in August 2016 are available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/dcms-sectors-economic-estimates-2016

Digital Technology: Greater London

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many of the 200,000 digital businesses identified in the UK Digital Strategy 2017, published on 1 March 2017, are based in London.

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many digital businesses identified in the UK Digital Strategy 2017, published on 1 March 2017, are based in Coventry.

Matt Hancock: The UK Digital Strategy identified around 200,000 digital business in the whole UK. The number of digital businesses in each region is not readily available.

Google: Training

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to page 9, Part 2 of the Government's Digital Strategy, published in March 2017, whether those people Google has already trained are included within the four million free digital skills training opportunities.

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to page 9, Part 2 of the Government's Digital Strategy, published in March 2017, whether people trained under the pledge by Accenture to create a Digital Skills Programme will count towards the target to provide four million free digital skills training opportunities; and how many people Accenture plans to train as part of that programme.

Matt Hancock: To support the aspiration of the Digital Skills Partnership, more than four million free digital skills training opportunities will be created by industry to make Britain the best place in the world to start and grow a digital business and ensure our digital economy works for everyone.Those people Google has already trained are not included within the four million free digital skills training opportunities. People trained under the pledge by Accenture to create a Digital Skills Programme will count towards the four million free digital skills training opportunities being created. It is understood that through partners, Accenture’s Digital Skills Programme could reach as many as 100,000 people across the UK.

Digital Technology: Training

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 6 March 2017 to Question 66229, on digital technology: training, what estimate her Department has made of the number of people who will be trained in digital skills through the trial partnership between the National Citizen Service and the Raspberry Pi Foundation.

Mr Rob Wilson: Precise details on the pilot are still being agreed between the Trust and the Raspberry Pi Foundation.

Exercise

Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to tackle recent trends in physical activity rates.

Tracey Crouch: In December 2015 Government published Sporting Future, which set out a new vision for a successful and active sporting nation, where people of all ages and backgrounds can enjoy the benefits that sport and physical activity can provide, at every stage in their lives. The strategy places a clear emphasis on targeting those who are hardest to reach including those from lower socio-economic groups, women and girls, those with a disability, certain BAME groups and older people. 60.7% of adults do the amount of physical activity recommended by the Chief Medical Officer of 150 Minutes a week. While this is encouraging, Sport England will triple its current investment in tackling inactivity to around £250 million, to help drive a more active and healthier nation.

EE: Email

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what representations she has received on EE's decision to close its freeserve email account service; and whether there is a requirement for consumers to be provided with (a) reasonable notice of such changes and (b) the facility to obtain their personal data and emails related to that service in a usable format.

Matt Hancock: DCMS is not aware of any representations made to the department regarding EE's decision to close the Freeserve e-mail platform. The decision to do so is a commercial decision for EE, who we understand have given affected customers advance notice ahead of the closure of accounts in May 2017. EE have also advised that help is available to customers wishing to transfer content to a new e-mail platform. Organisations that process personal data in the UK must comply Data Protection Act’s (DPA) eight data protection principles. These include requiring personal data to be processed fairly and lawfully; to be accurate and up-to-date; not to be kept for longer than is necessary; and to be processed in accordance with the rights of the data subjects under the DPA. Failure to comply with the Act is an offence. Further information about these obligations can be found on the ICO’s website at: https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/guide-to-data-protection/

Mobile Phones

Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to extend mobile phone coverage.

Matt Hancock: Each mobile network operator has a legal obligation to provide voice coverage to 90% of the UK landmass by the end of 2017. O2 has an additional legal obligation to provide indoor 4G coverage to 98% of UK premises by the same date. Ofcom will enforce these obligations and, through the Digital Economy Bill, will have the power to fine any network operator who is in breach.Ofcom's 2016 Connected Nations Report shows that 99% of UK premises now have indoor voice coverage and 96% have indoor 4G data coverage.

Department for Work and Pensions

Widowed Parent's Allowance

Mr Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate he has made of the number of widowed parent's allowance claimants who would fall below the poverty line as a result of recent changes to that allowance.

Caroline Nokes: Current recipients of Widowed Parent’s Allowance will continue to receive that benefit for the natural lifetime of their award. There will be no change in payments of Widowed Parent’s Allowance to these claimants. The new Bereavement Support Payment will replace Widowed Parent’s Allowance and other bereavement benefits for those whose spouse or civil partner dies on or after 6 April 2017. Lower income households will benefit from this reform as, unlike the bereavement benefits it replaces, Bereavement Support Payment will be paid in full in addition to any income replacement benefits that they are entitled to. This will ensure that the least well off families are not disadvantaged.

Parental Pay

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people started receiving (a) statutory maternity pay, (b) statutory maternity allowance, (c) statutory paternity pay and (d) shared parental pay in each quarter since April 2015.

Damian Hinds: The Department for Work and Pensions have policy responsibility for Statutory Maternity Pay and Statutory Maternity Allowance. BEIS have policy responsibility for Statutory Paternity Pay and Shared Parental Pay. In answer to (a), we do not hold information on the number of people who started receiving Statutory Maternity Pay in each quarter. The latest annual estimate is that around 350,000 women commenced Statutory Maternity Payments in 2014/2015. Note this covers the number of in-flows (e.g. births) to estimate the amount of women who started receiving Statutory Maternity Payments in 2014/2015, not all recipients during that year. In answer to (b), we are able to provide the following table which displays the number of people that commenced their claim of Maternity Allowance in the given quarters, rounded to the nearest 100: Quarter endingMay-2015Aug-2015Nov-2015Feb-2016May-2016Aug-2016MA inflows17,80019,60019,00017,60017,60015,200Source - Maternity Allowance: quarterly statisticshttps://www.gov.uk/government/collections/maternity-allowance-quarterly-statistics Sample data is 5% and rounded to the nearest 100.(1) Inflow figures do not include any late notifications to the computer system and will increase substantially when subsequent datasets become available.(2) These figures exclude a small proportion of clerical cases.  In answer to (c) and (d), we do not hold information on the number of people who started receiving Statutory Paternity Pay and Statutory Shared Parental Pay in each quarter since April 2015. Based on a small sample of data provided to HM Revenue & Customs by employers, we estimate that around 215,000 employees claimed Statutory Paternity Pay and around 6,000 employees claimed either Statutory Shared Parental Pay or Additional Paternity Pay in 2015/16. Note that this covers all recipients during 2015/16, including those who commenced their claim in 2014/15.

Department for Work and Pensions: Mental Health

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to put into practice the new measures on mental health set out in the Prime Minister's speech to the Charity Commission on 9 January 2017.

Penny Mordaunt: An Inter-Ministerial Group has been established to oversee the implementation of the new measures on mental health set out by the Prime Minister. These measures address a broad range of issues and therefore require a cross government response. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) plays a key role and will continue to work with the Department of Health, NHS England and our other partners to ensure the recommendations of the Five Year Forward View for Mental Health are implemented. Improving our offer of support for people with mental health conditions will be integral to our approach. The government is investing in trials, proofs of concept and feasibility studies to test ways to provide specialist support for people with common mental health conditions and ensure that we are providing access to the most effective health support when it is needed. We are making progress on the Independent Mental Health and Employers review, led by Dennis Stevenson and Paul Farmer. It will consider current best practice and seeks to engage with the full range of employers and individuals with lived experience in different sectors. The review will be published in summer 2017. We are also taking forward the internal review of discrimination law in relation to mental health and work. The other measures in the Prime Ministers speech are being led by relevant departments.

Employment: Disability

Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when his Department plans to publish its response to the consultation, Improving lives, work, health and disability, published in October 2016.

Penny Mordaunt: The Work and Health Unit received over 4,000 responses to the Work, Health and Disability Green Paper Consultation from a wide range of individuals with disabilities and long-term conditions, and organisations with an interest. We are now considering all that we have heard before deciding how best to move forward and want to do justice to the breadth and depth of views that have been shared with us and this will take some time. We are committed to building on the momentum of the work and health agenda, and to taking early action where it is right to do so.

Housing Benefit: Young People

Conor McGinn: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate he has made of the number of 18 to 21 year olds in (a) St Helens North constituency, (b) Merseyside and (c) the UK who will be affected by the recent Universal Credit (Housing Costs Element for claimants aged 18 to 21) (Amendment) Regulations 2017.

Caroline Nokes: The Department estimates that, nationally, 5,000 people will be affected in the first year with 10,000 a year affected in steady state. No estimates have been made at more localised levels.

Employment and Support Allowance

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 1 March 2017 to Question 65533, whether there will be a minimum number of minutes per year for which people in the employment and support allowance work-related activity group will receive support from their work coach.

Penny Mordaunt: Whilst we do not set out a minimum number of minutes a year, claimants moving into the work-related activity group (or the appropriate labour market regime in Universal Credit) will be offered support from a work coach. This includes an initial meeting with a work coach, which will provide tailored support for the claimant based on their individual circumstances and capabilities, with the aim of helping them prepare for work in the future. Follow up meetings will then be carried out, with the expectation that this support should be offered at least quarterly. The exact number of minutes of support will be based on the needs of the claimant.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Agriculture: Subsidies

Angela Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 25 January 2017 to Question 60340, whether the last payment window for the equivalent CAP Pillar 1 funding to which the Government has committed will open in 2019 or in 2020.

Angela Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 25 January 2017 to Question 60340, whether the Government plans to provide existing levels of CAP Pillar 1 funding for applications that are scheduled to begin to be paid on 1 December 2020.

George Eustice: The Government has guaranteed that the agricultural sector will receive the same level of funding that it would have received under Pillar I of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) until the end of the Multi-Annual Financial Framework in 2020. The last payment window in this Multi-Annual Financial Framework will be that which opens on 1 December 2019 and runs until 30 June 2020. We will be announcing details of future domestic agricultural policy as soon as possible in order to provide certainty for farmers

Slaughterhouses: Regulation

Sir Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the Food Standards Agency in monitoring meat processing in abattoirs to ensure that meat is produced in accordance with regulatory requirements.

George Eustice: Under EU regulations, full responsibility for animal welfare and food safety in slaughterhouses rests with business operators who must meet legislative requirements in terms of slaughterhouse design, layout and equipment. Business operators are responsible for ensuring that the welfare needs of the animals in their care are met.The Food Standards Agency (FSA)’s’s key functions in England and Wales include monitoring the hygienic production of meat and ensuring animals are protected prior to and during slaughter. The FSA issues certificates of competence for slaughterers and other operatives working with animals, making sure they have the right training and competence for the types of animals they are handling and the duties they are carrying out. The FSA also enforces legislation relating to animal welfare at slaughter. This work is carried out on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in England, and the Welsh Government in Wales. In Northern Ireland, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development carries out this function.All official controls in the UK for food and feed production and animal health and welfare are subject to external audit by the EU Commission’s Food and Veterinary Audit division.

Bovine Tuberculosis: Disease Control

Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of extending the current six week period for carrying out trial badger culls in affected areas.

George Eustice: Defra’s Guidance to Natural England (NE) on licences to kill or take badgers for the purpose of disease control published in 2011 specified a duration of 6 weeks. In 2015, to increase the likelihood of achieving a significant reduction of the badger population and thereby disease control, Defra consulted on giving provision to NE to keep the duration of the cull period under review, without specifying in the licence an initial limit on its duration. In December 2015, Defra published updated Guidance to this effect. The duration of the cull period must achieve a balance between sufficient intensity to achieve disease control and what is realistically deliverable by a cull company.

Agriculture: Subsidies

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what information she holds on the total value of Basic Payment Scheme payments (a) not paid on time and (b) paid on time since January 2016; and if she will make a statement.

George Eustice: An error has been identified in the written answer given on 06 March 2017.The correct answer should have been:

The Basic Payment Scheme payment window runs from 1st December to 30th June each scheme year. Since January 2016 the Rural Payments Agency has paid £5075m outside of the Basic Payment Scheme payment window and £2,430m within.

George Eustice: The Basic Payment Scheme payment window runs from 1st December to 30th June each scheme year. Since January 2016 the Rural Payments Agency has paid £5075m outside of the Basic Payment Scheme payment window and £2,430m within.

Air Pollution

Justin Madders: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to ensure local authorities meet statutory air quality targets.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: The Government is firmly committed to improving the UK's air quality and cutting harmful emissions and works with the Devolved Administrations to deliver this. I recently wrote to 230 local authorities across England that have longstanding air quality challenges to highlight the need for further action and to better understand the issues they were facing, to ensure they are working towards meeting their air quality targets. Defra provides statutory policy and technical guidance for local authorities in England to enable them to fulfil their air quality management duties. Defra provides technical support to local authorities via a dedicated local air quality management Helpdesk (accessible via phone, email and online). Defra provides calculation tools to support local authorities in their monitoring and modelling efforts. On 1 March, Defra in partnership with Public Health England, released an updated air Quality Toolkit for Directors of Public designed to help local authorities take action to improve air quality.

Air Pollution

Justin Madders: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, which local authorities have breached legal air quality limits in each of the last seven years.

Justin Madders: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, which local authorities have breached the World Health Organisation's air quality limits in each of the last seven years.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: We do not hold compliance data at a local authority level. Defra assesses compliance against EU air quality limit values for 43 regional zones and agglomerations across the UK. World Health Organization guidelines and EU limits are the same for nitrogen dioxide (NO2), but differ for all other pollutants. The compliance assessment is contained in the annual compliance reports which are accessible on the UK-Air Air website:https://uk-air.defra.gov.uk/library/annualreport/index. Air quality data from Defra's national monitoring network is routinely published on the UK-Air website and can be searched by location. In addition, many local authorities monitor air quality at local level and make this data available

Circuses: Animal Welfare

Mr Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much the licensing scheme for wild animals in circuses has cost since its introduction; and what proportion of those costs are incurred by licensed operators.

George Eustice: Since its introduction in January 2013, only two circuses have been licensed under the Welfare of Wild Animals in Travelling Circuses (England) Regulations 2012. Costs to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) for the day-to-day administration of the licensing scheme are covered by the application fee payable each year by a circus. The application fee is set at £389.36. For the period 2013 to 2017, APHA have received £3,893.60 in applications fees from the two licensed circuses. Costs of inspections under the licensing scheme are also paid for by licensed circuses. Inspection fees are set at £72.53 per hour and inspectors can also claim reasonable travel and subsistence costs. For the period 2013 to date, the total costs of inspections incurred by the two licensed circuses are £23,555.76.

Low Emission Zones: Urban Areas

Tulip Siddiq: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to encourage the adoption of low emission zones in urban areas.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: In December 2015 the Government announced that it would require five cities (Birmingham, Derby, Leeds, Nottingham and Southampton) to implement a Clean Air Zone. A Clean Air Zone defines an area where targeted action is taken to improve air quality and where resources are prioritised and coordinated to deliver improved health benefits and support economic growth in the urban environment. As such, a Clean Air Zone can encompass and go beyond the access controls typically associated with Low Emission Zones to promote both behaviour change and the transition to a low emission fleet. I am proactively engaging with local authorities to ensure that local and central government work together in the best possible way to improve air quality through the adoption of Clean Air Zones and other measures.

Organophosphates

Robert Jenrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans the Government has to limit the use of glyphosate by farmers.

George Eustice: The Government has no plans to limit the currently authorised uses of glyphosate. Like all pesticides, glyphosate is subject to restrictions to ensure that its use will not harm people or have unacceptable effects on the environment. UK experts agree with the recent assessment of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) that the use of glyphosate does not raise safety concerns.

Environment Protection

Andrew Bridgen: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when she plans to publish the Government's 25-year plan for the natural environment.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: We aim to publish a consultation on our ambitions for the 25 year environment plan and the plan itself in due course.

Trapping

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions her Department has had with shooting organisations on the banning of run-through traps.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: Defra has not had any recent discussions with shooting organisations on banning run through traps. However, there is clear evidence that certain run through traps, such as the Fenn Mk VI, do not meet international trapping standards for stoats. Defra officials are in discussion with shooting organisations to identify suitable replacement traps for stoats as part of our work to implement the Agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards.

Vegetables

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to encourage farmers to grow vegetables.

George Eustice: Our horticultural sector produces a wide range of excellent, healthy products. The sector continues to innovate and use new technologies which have enabled it to take advantage of market opportunities both at home and overseas. The Government is keen to work with the horticulture sector to build on this success and help it flourish.

Livestock: Exports

Chris Elmore: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential effect on livestock exports of the UK leaving the EU.

George Eustice: The Government continues to undertake a range of analyses to inform the UK’s position for the upcoming EU exit negotiations. We are determined to get the best possible deal for the UK in our negotiations to leave the EU, which allows frictionless trade in goods and services and the opportunity to reach new agreements with countries around the world.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Senior Civil Servants

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 6 March 2017 to Question 65555, how many senior civil servants were employed by her Department as at 31 December 2016.

George Eustice: Pursuant to the answer of 6 March 2017 to question 65555, the number of Senior Civil Servants that were employed by Defra as at 31 December 2016 was 77.

Avian Influenza: Eggs

Mrs Anne-Marie Trevelyan: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will estimate the loss of sales to free range egg producers since the imposition of avian influenza prevention zones.

George Eustice: Following the announcement on 24 February of a more targeted approach, most egg producers in England can now let their birds outside, provided they meet the additional biosecurity measures that we have put in place. Producers in the higher risk areas can market their eggs as free-range if they come from birds which meet all the other requirements for free-range and are allowed into fully-fenced areas which are fully covered by netting. A number of retailers have said that they remain committed to their free range egg producers and will continue to support them during this time. On this basis, we do not anticipate any significant disruption to sales. We will continue to monitor market developments in conjunction with the industry.

Environment Protection

Neil Coyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, for what reasons she is unable to give a specific date for publication of her Department's 25-year plan for the environment.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: The plan has not yet been written but it is a manifesto commitment to publish in the course of this parliament. We aim to publish a consultation on our ambitions for the 25 year environment plan in due course.

Air Pollution: North West

Conor McGinn: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, in how many years since 2010 (a) St Helens, (b) Merseyside and (c) the North West have been in breach of EU air pollution levels.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: Defra assesses compliance against EU air quality limit values for 43 regional zones and agglomerations across the UK. This monitoring covers five key pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), sulphur dioxide (SO2), ozone (O3) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2). We do not hold compliance data at a local authority level. Monitoring data is available up to 2015. Details of compliance in each year since 2010 that data is available for is set out in the table below. The Liverpool Urban Area agglomeration encompasses St Helens Metropolitan Borough Council. Performance against the EU limit values for PM10 and PM2.5, SO2, O3 and NO2 between 2010 and 2015. Zone Year NO2 hourly limit value exceededYear NO2 annual mean value exceededSO2, PM10, PM2.5 and O3 Liverpool Urban AreaNo exceedances2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015No exceedancesNorth West & Merseyside zoneNo exceedances2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015No exceedances

Bovine Tuberculosis: Disease Control

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what process is in place to select which culled badger carcasses are forensically examined; and who is responsible for selecting which carcasses will be sent to the cull monitors.

George Eustice: Natural England, as the licensing authority, monitors the culls to assess compliance with licence conditions and Best Practice Guides. If, as part of this, Natural England identifies a compliance issue then Natural England may request that a carcass is subject to a post-mortem examination by exception. This was done on one occasion in 2016. Additionally, during 2013 to 2015, the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) carried out post-mortem examinations of badger carcasses that were dispatched by controlled shooting. Carcasses were selected for examination at random. Further details on monitoring and post-mortem examinations are published on GOV.UK

Home Office

Marriage of Convenience

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many forced entries by the police have been made in connection with suspected sham marriages since 2010.

Mr Robert Goodwill: I am sorry but the Home Office does not hold information requested.

Immigration: EEA Nationals

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 26 January 2017 to Question 61929, what steps her Department has taken to raise awareness of the service launched in October 2016 to enable single EEA applicants to apply for permanent residence online.

Mr Robert Goodwill: There is no requirement to register for documentation to confirm permanent residence status. Applicants who wish to do so are directed towards the online services by UK Visas and Immigration Contact Centres and GOV.UK.

Metropolitan Police: Diplomatic Service

Wes Streeting: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how much funding her Department allocated to the Metropolitan Police for diplomatic protection in (a) 2015-16, (b) 2014-15, (c) 2013-14, (d) 2012-13 and (e) 2011-12.

Wes Streeting: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the cost to the Metropolitan Police was of diplomatic protection in (a) 2015-16, (b) 2014-15, (c) 2013-14, (d) 2012-13 and (e) 2011-12.

Brandon Lewis: It is long held departmental policy not to discuss security arrangements or their associated costs since disclosure of this detail could compromise those arrangements.

Immigration: EEA Nationals

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 26 January 2017 to Question 61929, whether her Department plans to launch services for non-single EEA applicants to apply for permanent residence online; and if she will make a statement.

Mr Robert Goodwill: There is no requirement to register for documentation to confirm this status. As part of an ongoing programme to digitise all applications for current immigration routes, the Home Office expanded its online service for those applying for documents confirming residence under the EEA regulations. The online service, which has been open to single applicants exercising treaty rights from the EU since October, has allowed applicants to apply on behalf of family members at the same time since the start of February.The European Passport Return Service, offered via participating local authorities, supports the online application service and enables people to retain their original passport whilst their application is considered.

Arson: Schools

Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many school fires have been reported in each of the last 10 years; how many of those fires were caused by arson; and what the total cost was of replacing school buildings affected by (a) those fires and (b) those fires caused by arson.

Brandon Lewis: The latest published figures on fires in schools can be found in “Fire Statistics Great Britain: 2013/14” - https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/fire-statistics-great-britain-2013-to-2014 and show that there were 593 fires in schools in 2013/14 in Great Britain of which 134 were deliberate fires (it should be noted that not all deliberate fires are arson). Subsequent publications have included schools under a broader category of “Education premises”.We have not estimated the costs of fires in schools.

Immigration: EU Nationals

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions she has had with her Cabinet colleagues on whether the Government can change the rights of citizens from other EU countries resident in the UK leaves the EU.

Mr Robert Goodwill: As the Government has made clear, while we remain a member of the EU the Treaty rights of EU nationals living in the UK remain unchanged.

Human Trafficking: Children

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has made an assessment of the effectiveness of the introduction of Independent Child Trafficking Advocates in three early adopter sites; and if she will make a statement.

Sarah Newton: The Independent Child Trafficking Advocate service (ICTA) went live in the three early adopter sites on 30 January 2017 and it is therefore too early to assess its effectiveness.The Home Office is conducting an assessment of the ICTA service in the three sites with oversight from an Independent Expert Advisory Panel. The assessment will collect data to monitor outcomes for children who receive an ICTA and consider how the service was implemented.

Asylum: Children

Dr Paul Monaghan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to resettle child refugees in (a) the UK and (b) Scotland.

Mr Robert Goodwill: Child refugees and their families are being resettled across the UK under the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme and the Vulnerable Children’s Resettlement Scheme. We continue to work with local authorities and devolved administrations to ensure reception arrangements, accommodation and appropriate care arrangements are in place to meet our commitments.

Visas: India

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of offering equivalent visitor visa arrangements to Indians as those that are provided to Chinese visitors.

Mr Robert Goodwill: The UK began piloting in China, from 11 January 2016, two-year multiple entry visitor visas at the same price as the current standard six month visitor visa. China has made the same offer for British citizens. There are no plans to introduce this in other countries.The UK has an excellent visa service in India for the increasing number of visitor visa applicants, which makes it quick and easy to apply for a visa. We have more Visa Application Centres in India than in any other country and we have continued to expand our premium and priority services

Fire and Rescue Services: Finance

Carolyn Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the projected spending power for each fire authority is for 2019-20.

Carolyn Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the spending power for each fire authority will be in 2017-18.

Brandon Lewis: Total core spending power for each local authority in England for 2017-18 to 2019-20 is published in the “Core Spending Power:summary” table at:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/core-spending-power-final-local-government-finance-settlement-2017-to-2018 .The table includes the 29 stand-alone fire and rescue authorities in England for which Core Spending Power is separately calculated.It also includes the 16 local authorities in England where fire funding is decided by the local authority. In these cases fire and rescue provision is embedded in these local authorities. Hence separate fire funding figures are not centrally available.

Members: Correspondence

Rob Marris: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 22 February 2017 to Question 64038, when her Department plans to respond to the letter from the hon. Member for  Wolverhampton South West of 21 December 2016 on the use of hotels to accommodate asylum seekers.

Mr Robert Goodwill: The Minister of State for Immigration replied on 7th March 2017.

Overseas Students

Christina Rees: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions she or officials of her Department have had regarding placing limitations on UK universities' ability to recruit international students to the UK.

Mr Robert Goodwill: There is no cap on the number of genuine international students. All those students who have a sufficient level of English, funds to maintain themselves, relevant qualifications and a genuine intention to study can do so. The Government has no plans to change this.

Passports

Cat Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 5 December 2016 to Question 54640, on passports, what the ethnic profile is of UK passport holders.

Mr Robert Goodwill: I am sorry but Her Majesty’s Passport Office does not hold the data requested.

Dogs: Smuggling

Mr Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 20 February 2017 to Question 63331, on dogs: smuggling, what training Border Force staff receive on that work; and how many cases of dogs being brought into the UK illegally the Border Force has detected in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

Mr Robert Goodwill: Core skills training provided to Border Force officers who exercise customs controls includes awareness training on the controls that govern the movement of live animals into the UK.If Border Force detects dogs being brought into the UK illegally the case will be referred to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) and local authorities who lead on enforcement activity. Border Force does not hold information on the number of detections of dogs brought into the UK illegally.

Immigration: EU Nationals

Jo Stevens: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many applications for permanent residency have been made by non-UK EU nationals since 23 June 2016; and how many and what proportion such applications have been rejected.

Mr Robert Goodwill: Statistics on applications decided for Documents Certifying Permanent Residence issued to European Economic Area (EEA) nationals are published quarterly. These include data for grants, refusals and applications deemed invalid and hence rejected. The most recent edition (European Economic Area data tables Immigration Statistics October to December 2016) is available at:https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/593039/eea-q4-2016-tables.ods.

Visas

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what proportion of people denied visas to come to the UK on the grounds that they have (a) insufficient personal income and (b) no family dependents in their home country were women in each of the last three years.

Mr Robert Goodwill: Applications for a visa to visit the UK are considered on their individual merits, in accordance with the requirements set out in Appendix V to the Immigration Rules, taking into account the information and supporting documents provided in the application. It is for the applicant to satisfy the decision maker that they meet those requirements, including that they are a genuine visitor who will leave the UK at the end of the visit.

Ministry of Defence

Royal Signals

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if his Department will retain the White Helmet Motor Cycle Team of the Royals Corps of Signals.

Mark Lancaster: The Master of Signals Council has taken the decision to disband the White Helmet Motor Cycle Team at the end of their 2017 tour. Whilst the display is impressive, it was judged that it no longer reflects the modern role of the Royal Corps of Signals as leaders in a digital age, using cutting edge technology. Engagement that reflects their modern day image is planned to continue.

Army: Recruitment

Liz Saville Roberts: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the titles and dates are of publication of Ofsted reports on the quality of education, training and welfare for army recruits aged 16 to 18.

Mark Lancaster: This is a matter for Her Majesty's Chief Inspector, Amanda Spielman. I have asked her to write to you and a copy of her reply will be placed in the Library of the House.

Ministry of Defence: Work Experience

Justin Madders: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many people undertook an unpaid work placement in his Department in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and how many such placements lasted for longer than one month.

Mark Lancaster: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to Question 56303 from the hon. Member for Sheffield, Heeley (Louise Haigh), on 12 December 2016.



56303 - MOD Work Experience
(PDF Document, 63.28 KB)

HM Treasury

EU Nationals: Migrant Workers

Tulip Siddiq: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the economic contribution of non-UK EU nationals living in the UK to GDP.

Mr David Gauke: Analysis undertaken by the independent Migration Advisory Committee in 2012 shows that higher levels of net migration will, all else equal, increase the growth rate of the potential labour supply and therefore the rate of growth of overall GDP.

Investment: Complaints

Alex Cunningham: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many people who are certified as high net worth investors have made a complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service about being advised to invest in a non-mainstream pooled investment in the last three years.

Alex Cunningham: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many people who have been certified by a financial adviser as sophisticated investors have made a complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service about being advised to invest in an inappropriate non-mainstream pooled investment in the last three years.

Simon Kirby: This is an operational matter for the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS), who are operationally independent from Government. The questions have been passed to the FOS. The FOS will reply directly to Alex Cunningham MP by letter. A copy of the letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Pensions: Nuisance Calls

Alex Cunningham: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the timetable is for implementing the Government's proposed ban on cold calling in relation to pension scams.

Simon Kirby: The Government takes the issue of pension scams, and the targeting of vulnerable people through cold calls, very seriously. That is why Government is consulting on a package of measures aimed at tackling these issues. The consultation closed on 13 February, and the Government is currently reviewing responses.

Debts

Chris Elmore: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans he has introduce a breathing space scheme to allow people with debt a period without interest, charges or debt collection activity while they seek advice and try to improve their financial situation.

Simon Kirby: The government has committed to exploring whether some form of “breathing space” would be a useful and viable addition to the current range of debt solutions available to consumers and creditors. Work is continuing on this review, and the government plans to provide an update in due course.

Individual Savings Accounts

Alex Cunningham: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of the Lifetime ISA policy on the number of people opting out of auto-enrolment into pension schemes in the 12 months following its commencement in April 2017.

Jane Ellison: The Government is fully committed to automatic enrolment and has always been clear that the Lifetime ISA is a complement to pension saving, not a replacement. The impact assessment of the Savings (Government Contributions) Act 2017, based on the independent OBR certified costing note, is clear that we do not assume anybody opts out of their automatically enrolled pension to save into a Lifetime ISA.

Pensions: Nuisance Calls

Alex Cunningham: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the effect of the proposed ban on cold calling in relation to pension scams for businesses who use lead generators or third party referrals to build client lists.

Simon Kirby: The Government is determined to protect people from being tricked out of their life savings by fraudsters. Currently, almost 11 million pensioners are being targeted annually by cold callers. The proposed ban, which allows calls where an existing relationship exists or at the express request of the recipient, is intended to allow legitimate businesses to continue to operate. The Government sought evidence on potential impacts on firms as part of its consultation. The consultation closed on 13 February and the Government is reviewing responses.

Cabinet Office

Electoral Register: Disability

Cat Smith: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps the Government is taking to make registration and voting more accessible to people with disabilities.

Chris Skidmore: As part of my Every Voice Matters Tour, I have held roundtable discussions with various organisations that represent people with disabilities to further understand the barriers disabled people face in engaging in the democratic process and to find possible solutions. A number of issues are being considered by the Cabinet Office-chaired Accessibility of Elections Group, which includes representatives from Mencap, Royal National Institute Of Blind People (RNIB), the Association of Electoral Administrators and the Electoral Commission, to support the Government’s commitment to making the electoral system fully accessible for all elections.

Polling Stations: Proof of Identity

Cat Smith: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the announcement of 27 December 2016, Press release: Eliminating electoral fraud in polling stations, when the Government plans to publish further guidance on the trial of identification in polling stations at the local government elections in May 2018; and whether the Government plans that that guidance will clarify (a) how the Government will communicate those changes to electors and (b) what training will be given to polling station staff.

Cat Smith: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to his Department's press release of 27 December 2016, Eliminating Electoral Fraud in Polling Stations, if he will carry out an equality and human rights impact assessment on the voter identification pilots; and whether he plans to make an assessment of the effect of those pilots on the demographic composition of voters in future elections.

Chris Skidmore: In its response to Sir Eric Pickles’ review of electoral fraud, the Government announced its intention to run a number of pilot schemes at local government elections in May 2018. The pilot schemes are part of a comprehensive programme of reform that will enhance public confidence in our elections, and strengthen electoral integrity. The Government is keen to be inclusive in making plans to bring forward Sir Eric’s recommendations. The Government is conscious of the need to ensure that legitimate electors are not disenfranchised, and will give careful consideration to the impacts of the pilots. Over the coming weeks and months, the Government will be working with its key electoral partners, including the Electoral Commission, the Association of Electoral Administrators, and the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives, to set out in detail our plans for implementing and evaluating the pilot schemes. The pilot schemes will enable us to accurately determine the impact of asking voters in Great Britain to present identification before voting. This, in turn, will ensure that the Government can build a clear, secure democracy that works for everyone.

Electoral Register

Cat Smith: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Written Statement of 9 January 2015, HCWS 180, on maximising voter registration, which local authorities and organisations have received funding; how much funding each local authority or organisation received; who has responsibility for monitoring activity locally; and what evaluation processes are in place to assess the effect of that activity on under-registered groups.

Chris Skidmore: The Government provided £14 million across 2013/14 and 2014/15 to support the costs of activities – at a local and national level – to maximise the number of people on the register. £2.5 million of this was allocated to a number of civil society and national organisations, which looked at increasing registration amongst particular groups. This included groups such as Mencap, British Youth Council and Operation Black Vote. The funding allocated to local authorities was shared across the country, with a formula in place to determine which areas should receive a larger share, based on evidence of under registration in particular areas.

Mortality Rates

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the oral contributions of the hon. Member for Brighton Pavilion and the hon. Member for Totnes of 28 February 2017, Official Report, Column 80, on trends of deaths registered in England and Wales, what assessment he has made of the cause of the rise in deaths (a) between 2014 and 2015 and (b) in January 2015 (i) in total and (ii) for people aged over 75.

Chris Skidmore: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.



UKSA Response to PQ66374
(PDF Document, 125.06 KB)

Electoral Register

Cat Smith: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Written Statement of 5 July 2013, Official Report, column 72WS, on maximising voter registration measures, (a) which local authorities and organisations received funding, (b) how much each of those local authorities and organisations received and (c) whether any evaluation of those pilots has been undertaken.

Chris Skidmore: An evaluation report on the 2013/14 funding was published in September 2014. It is still available on-line, along with other materials, at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/maximising-electoral-registration-evaluation-of-local-activities

Politics: Education

Cat Smith: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on improving young people's political literacy in secondary and post-16 education.

Chris Skidmore: I meet regularly with ministerial colleagues to discuss a range of issues. Recently I have met with colleagues in the Departments for Education and Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy to discuss barriers to registration amongst attainers and students.

Digital Technology

Louise Haigh: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many (a) UK and (b) non-UK EU nationals were employed in the digital sector as defined by the Office for National Statistics on the latest date for which figures are available.

Louise Haigh: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Office for National Statistics publication entitled, What defines the Digital Sector? published in October 2015, how many (a) UK and (b) non-UK EU nationals were employed in the digital economy in the most recent period for which figures are available.

Chris Skidmore: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.



UKSA Response to PQ66465 and PQ66441
(PDF Document, 124.15 KB)

Department for International Trade

Overseas Trade

Ms Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, how many bidders for the Trade Remedies Discovery Team contract, published on 13 February 2017, failed to meet the cultural fit criteria.

Ms Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether he approved the inclusion of the criteria of being committed to the best possible outcome for the UK following its departure from the EU in the cultural fit criteria used to evaluate suppliers bidding for the Trade Remedies Discovery Team contract, published on 13 February 2017.

Ms Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what evaluation weighting applied to each of the cultural fit critera included in the advertisement for the Trade Remedies Discovery Team contract, published on 13 February 2017.

Greg Hands: Holding answer received on 06 March 2017



The Crown Commercial Service’s template for procuring complex digital specialists and/or outcomes includes a ‘cultural fit’ criteria, as this is considered important in the digital marketplace. The cultural fit criteria is not disaggregated across its four components. The bid evaluation is ongoing. No Ministers were involved in the contract process.

Trade Missions

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, which agricultural industry representatives (a) were invited to and (b) attended the Northern Powerhouse Trade Mission to Gulfood 2017.

Mark Garnier: The Northern Powerhouse Trade Mission to Gulfood was targeted to all businesses in the north who want to export. Any businesses expressing an interest were guided to take into account the nature of the trade show that suits particular types of businesses or products so they could make an informed decision as to whether this is the right trade show for them to attend. Agricultural Industry representatives did not attend the Trade Mission but, were welcome to join, however the core target audience were commercial businesses.

Trade Missions

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what steps he took to promote British lamb exports at the Northern Powerhouse Trade Mission to Gulfood 2017.

Mark Garnier: The Northern Powerhouse Trade Mission to Gulfood was to support food and drink businesses. The trade mission was open to businesses in the north to join so they can promote their products to an international audience. The Department for International Trade’s role is to help companies to export. My hon Friend the Minister of State for Farming, Food and the Marine Environment (George Eustice) visited Gulfood to promote British food and drink exports, in particular British lamb for which we have recently secured market access with Kuwait.

Trade Missions

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, which British food and drink industry representatives (a) were invited to and (b) attended the Northern Powerhouse Trade Mission to Gulfood 2017.

Mark Garnier: The Northern Powerhouse Trade Mission to Gulfood was targeted to all businesses in the north who want to export. Any businesses expressing an interest were guided to take into account the nature of the trade show that suits particular types of businesses or products so they could make an informed decision as to whether this is the right trade show for them to attend. British Food and Drink Industry representatives did not attend the Trade Mission but, were welcome to join, however the core target audience were commercial businesses.

Trade Missions

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, which members of the National Farmers' Union (a) were invited to and (b) attended the Northern Powerhouse Trade Mission to Gulfood 2017.

Mark Garnier: The Northern Powerhouse Trade Mission to Gulfood was to support food and drink businesses and was promoted to all businesses in the north to join. A number of the businesses participating are potentially connected to farming by nature of their products, but membership of the National Farmers’ Union is not a criteria we require or record from participants.

House of Commons Commission

Parliament: Educational Visits

Daniel Zeichner: To ask the right hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington, representing the House of Commons Commission, what proportion of schools visiting Parliament through Parliament's Education Service were fee-paying schools in each year since 2010.

Tom Brake: The proportion of fee-paying schools visiting Parliament through Parliament's Education Service in each academic year since 2010 were as follows:Academic YearFee-paying Schools visitingTotal schools visitingFee-paying Schools as a % of total2010/1196864112011/121291043122012/131711216142013/141691305132014/151811302142015/162372223112016/17279254111Total12621049412The proportion of fee-paying schools visiting Parliament through Parliament's Education Service in each financial year since 2010 were as follows:Financial YearFee-paying Schools visitingTotal Schools VisitingFee-paying Schools as a % of total2010/11101836122011/12126997132012/131461126132013/141731244142014/151651282132015/162131781122016/17267249511Total1191976112These figures represent the number of individual schools visiting, rather than the overall number of sessions each school has booked (each school can book up to four sessions in an academic year).The totals for 2016/17 are based upon actual visits up until 03/03/2017. Figures for the remainder of the academic / financial year are based upon bookings received.

Parliament: Educational Visits

Stephen Timms: To ask the right hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington, representing the House of Commons Commission, what proportion of school-aged children visiting Parliament through Parliament's Education Service were home-schooled in each year since 2010.

Tom Brake: The proportion of home-schooled children visiting Parliament through Parliament's Education Service in each academic year since 2010 were as follows:Academic YearTotal schools visitingTotal number of school visitorsTotal home education groups visitingTotal number of home schooled visitorsHome schooled visitors as a % of all school visitors2010/1186434,47852110.612011/121,04340,4242510.132012/131,21646,13752830.612013/141,30546,5971110.022014/151,30243,38682090.482015/162,22381,977237100.872016/172,54193,366153880.42Total10,494386,385591,8630.48The proportion of home-schooled children visiting Parliament through Parliament's Education Service in each financial year since 2010 were as follows:Financial YearTotal schools visitingTotal number of school visitorsTotal home education groups visitingTotal number of home education group visitorsHome educated visitors as a % of all school visitors2010/1183634,25862020.592011/1299739,81831370.342012/131,12644,38952110.482013/141,24446,49121100.242014/151,28243,7634990.232015/161,78165,775206791.032016/172,49594,409184690.50Total9,761386,903581,9070.49These figures represent the number of individuals visiting, rather than the overall number of sessions each school has booked (each school can book up to four sessions in an academic year).The totals for 2016/17 are based upon actual visits up until 03/03/2017. Figures for the remainder of the academic / financial year are based upon bookings received.

Department of Health

Transplant Surgery: Stem Cells

Mark Tami: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the relative availability of second stem cell transplants for patients whose disease relapses in England and the (a) devolved nations of the UK, (b) EU and (c) US.

Nicola Blackwood: The Department has not made a comparative assessment of the availability of second stem cell transplants in different countries. Decisions related to the commissioning of treatments in England are made by NHS England. These decisions are based on clinical evidence, including international studies, and are kept under review. In the case of second stem cell transplants for patients with relapsed disease the risks of the treatment must be weighed against the potential long-term benefits. Following a review of the most recent clinical evidence NHS England announced on 24 February 2017 that second transplants would routinely be made available for patients in England with relapsed disease. Approximately 15 patients a year that suffer a relapse are expected to benefit from this treatment option.

NHS: Procurement

Mr Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, which specialised medicines, procedures and medical technologies are undergoing evaluation by NHS England Specialised Services for potential commissioning in 2017-18 and 2018-19.

David Mowat: NHS England is preparing this data set, which is currently in draft form. It will be published shortly.

Diseases: Drugs

Mr Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will publish details of the process by which NICE plans to create commissioning support documents on rare disease medicines for NHS England in 2017.

Nicola Blackwood: The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has advised that it has been commissioned by NHS England to support the development of clinical commissioning policies for licensed (or soon-to-be licensed) technologies that are directly commissioned by NHS England. NICE is working with NHS England to agree how this will be achieved and will publish full detail in due course.

Air Pollution

Justin Madders: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what meetings Ministers of his Department have had with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on that Department's forthcoming air quality strategy.

Nicola Blackwood: I met with my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under Secretary for the Environment and Rural Life Opportunities (Thérèse Coffey) on 7 November 2016 to discuss the air quality plans. In addition, the Department is represented at the Interministerial Group on Clean Growth at which the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs’ air quality plans have been discussed.

Mental Health Services: Children and Young People

Helen Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps the Government is taking to ensure that children and young people accessing inpatient mental health services and their families are aware of their rights and that those rights are always upheld.

Nicola Blackwood: The Mental Health Act’s Code of Practice (the Code) states that when making decisions in relation to the care and treatment of children and young people, practitioners should always consider the best interests of the child or young person. The Code also states that hospital managers should ensure that staff providing children and young people with information about their rights (in accordance with section 132 of the Act which applies to patients of all ages) have sufficient knowledge and experience to be able to provide information to children. When young people are formally detained under most sections of the Mental Health Act, they have a statutory right to an independent Mental Health Advocate (IMHAs) who will make sure that their rights are explained to them. Under the Health and Social Care Act 2012, local authorities must ensure that timely access to IMHAs is available and that IMHAs have appropriate training and skills to support the patient effectively including where a patient has particular needs.

Drugs: Misuse

Dr Sarah Wollaston: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the effect of the abstinence based approach for the treatment of drug addiction on levels of deaths from drug misuse.

Nicola Blackwood: The provision of both harm reduction and abstinence based interventions is essential to any drug treatment system. Each local authority is responsible for ensuring there is a full range of drug treatment services available in their area to meet the needs of their local population. During the recent Public Health England led inquiry into the rise in drug-related deaths, analysis of the treatment population did not establish a direct relationship between a policy focus on abstinence and drug-related deaths.

Immune System: Diseases

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many people have been diagnosed with autoimmune diseases in each of the last five years.

David Mowat: This information is not collected.

Dementia: Football

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what discussions his Department has had with (a) the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and (b) football authorities on the connection between people playing football and developing dementia.

David Mowat: We have had no discussions with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport or with the football authorities on this issue.

Blood: Contamination

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, with reference to his Department's document, Infected Blood: consultation on special category mechanism and financial and other support in England, published in March 2017, whether the proposals to no longer implement fixed increases in annual payments from 2018-19 will affect (a) people with HIV and stage 1 hepatitis C who were due to receive a £18,500 annual payment, (b) people with HIV and stage 2 hepatitis C who were due to receive a £36,500 annual payment, (c) people with either HIV only or stage 2 hepatitis C only who were due to receive a £18,500 annual payment and (d) people with stage 1 hepatitis C only who were due to receive a £4,500 annual payment.

Nicola Blackwood: The proposal for a Special Category Mechanism (with appeal), described in the consultation ‘Infected Blood: consultation on special category mechanism and financial and other support in England’ means that beneficiaries at hepatitis C stage 1, whose infection or its treatment has a substantial and long term impact on their ability to carry out daily activities, can apply to receive the higher annual payment in parity with those who suffer with more advanced hepatitis C complications or from HIV. As a result of this new Special Category Mechanism, a significant proportion of beneficiaries with hepatitis C stage 1 would benefit from the higher annual payment. Therefore, we need to redistribute the available funding to reflect this change. This means that for the period of this Spending Review, until 2021: - Individuals with HIV and stage 1 hepatitis C will continue to receive annual payments of £18,500;- Those with HIV and stage 2 hepatitis C will continue to receive £30,500 annual payments;- People with either HIV only or stage 2 hepatitis C will continue to receive annual payments of £15,500; and- Individuals with stage 1 hepatitis C will continue to receive annual payments of £3,500. All of these payments are linked to the Consumer Price Index. We believe that our proposals are fair and reasonable, and necessary in order to preserve levels of support provided to beneficiaries, including through the discretionary fund which we know is valued by beneficiaries and their families.

Healthy Start Scheme

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the budget for the Healthy Start Scheme will be in 2017-18.

Nicola Blackwood: The budget for the Healthy Start Scheme in 2017-18 is currently being finalised and will be confirmed in due course.

Asthma: Medical Equipment

Jeff Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many asthma inhalers have been issued (a) in England and (b) in each region to (i) adults and (ii) children in each of the last 10 years.

David Mowat: The number of prescriptions prescribed in England and dispensed in the community for drugs that are indicated for the treatment of asthma are shown in the table below. Information is not available by age. These drugs may also be prescribed for conditions other than asthma. Number of items of drugs prescribed in primary care in England used to treat asthma, for 2012/13 to 2015/16 YearPrescription Items2012/1349,058,6642013/1450,219,4462014/1552,775,9782015/1653,136,030Source: ePACT Number of items of the drugs prescribed in primary care in England used to treat asthma by NHS England Region, for 2012/13 to 2015/16.  2012/132013/142014/152015/16England Total49,058,66450,219,44652,775,97853,136,030NHS England London5,052,1585,172,4035,453,7805,414,053NHS England Midlands and East (Central Midlands)4,025,2784,069,5474,282,0754,323,279NHS England Midlands and East (East)3,913,7094,064,7774,314,9784,362,695NHS England Midlands and East (North Midlands)3,533,6403,586,7693,759,1383,774,000NHS England Midlands and East (West Midlands)3,893,6883,987,4864,180,9114,198,648NHS England North (Cheshire and Merseyside)2,954,0253,023,4003,163,8363,224,039NHS England North (Cumbria and North East)3,587,1583,663,9733,827,9153,876,506NHS England North (Greater Manchester)3,115,6753,205,5783,350,4033,380,619NHS England North (Lancashire)1,783,6231,822,5081,910,6261,922,155NHS England North (Yorkshire and Humber)5,834,6035,980,6756,308,6226,361,876NHS England South (South Central)2,730,4112,781,4792,931,7452,931,543NHS England South (South East)3,484,7953,552,1153,742,1123,760,809NHS England South (South West)2,830,2572,870,5632,985,1743,004,444NHS England South (Wessex)2,218,9902,282,9672,383,1972,389,491Unidentified100,654155,206181,466211,873Source: ePACT The sum of the data for all NHS England Regions does not equal the total England figure, because the total England figure includes unidentified doctors (not possible for NHS Business Services Authority Prescription Services to allocate to an NHS England Region). The British National Formulary (BNF) defines medication used to treat asthma related conditions as drugs in the following BNF sections and paragraphs:3.1.13.1.23.1.33.23.3.13.3.23.4.2 (omalizumab only).

Cancer

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if his Department will provide financial assistance to NHS trusts who are unsuccessful in their bids for sustainability and transformation funds to ensure the success of the Cancer Taskforce strategy.

David Mowat: Access to the Sustainability and Transformation Fund is dependent on trusts achieving certain finance and performance related criteria. If successful a trust will receive a payment that will have a direct benefit to their bottom line financial position. This funding must not be used for any other purpose. Whatever the financial position in a trust, continued delivery of affordable, safe and quality health services is paramount. To ensure this happens, regulators will intervene to provide the necessary support and challenge to bring the organisation back to a stable position as soon as possible. Where necessary, interim financing (cash support) may be provided to those trusts to help pay the bills. In December 2016 NHS England announced that a £200 million fund will be available to Cancer Alliances and the national cancer vanguard over the next two years to specifically support the areas the Cancer Taskforce’s strategy estimated would need additional investment, including supporting earlier diagnosis and the full roll out of the Recovery Package. NHS England received bids from all alliances on 18 January 2017. The bids have been assessed by a national panel on the basis of a pre-determined set of criteria, reflecting the value they offer and the panel’s confidence of delivery. The appraisal criteria is available at:https://www.england.nhs.uk/stps/tf-call-to-bid/

Hepatitis

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, with reference to page 10 of Public Health England's report entitled Hepatitis C in the UK 2016 report; Working towards its elimination as a major public health threat, published in July 2016, whether the Government is on course to eliminate hepatitis C in the UK by 2030.

Nicola Blackwood: The World Health Organization (WHO) Global Health Sector Strategy (GHSS) proposes milestones and targets to achieve the aim of eliminating viral hepatitis as a major public health threat by 2030. For hepatitis C (HCV), the strategy outlines two main targets for monitoring impact: reducing new cases of chronic hepatitis C infection by 80% by 2030, and reducing deaths from hepatitis C by 65% by 2030. Progress towards achieving these goals is summarised in Public Health England’s “Hepatitis C in the UK 2016 report - Working towards its elimination as a major public health threat.” The report is available via the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/565459/Hepatitis_C_in_the_UK_2016_report.pdf With preliminary data suggesting an 11% fall in deaths from HCV-related end-stage liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma in the United Kingdom in 2015, the report concludes that, with the increasing availability of new direct acting antiviral drugs, the UK is well-placed to meet WHO GHSS goals to reduce hepatitis C-related morbidity and mortality.

Hepatitis

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether NHS England plans to continue with a run-rate allocation to each operational delivery network for the treatment of Hepatitis C in 2017-18; and what that allocation for that treatment in that financial year will be.

Nicola Blackwood: The 22 operational delivery networks have been allocated hepatitis C treatment run rates in line with a tool produced by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), which in turn is based on advice from independent expert clinicians and patients regarding estimates of treatment uptake and is published alongside the NICE treatment recommendations.NHS England is currently planning to increase the national hepatitis C treatment run rate for 2017/18 from 10,000 to 12,500 patients. As in 2016/17, NHS England will keep the run rates for each operational delivery network under review.

Mental Health Services

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many mental health service out of area placements (OAPs) there were in each region in each year since 2012; what the cost of such OAPs was in each such year and region; and what the average distance was that patients travelled in each such year and region.

Nicola Blackwood: The Out of Area Placements (OAPs) collection is expected to capture the details of all OAPs in England from both National Health Service and independent providers. Collection began on 17 October 2016, therefore the information is not held in the format requested.

Charities: Finance

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how much funding his Department will provide to (a) the Macfarlane Trust, (b) the Caxton Foundation and (c) the Eileen Trust beyond 1 April 2017.

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how much funding his Department plans to provide to the new infected blood scheme administrator in each year to 2020-21.

Nicola Blackwood: We will continue to fund the three discretionary payment support schemes beyond 1 April 2017. However, we are not yet able to confirm at this stage what the funding amount will be for the three charities. We are committed to continuing with discretionary funding. The NHS Business Services Authority (NHS-BSA) is being appointed to provide support to all beneficiaries of the schemes later in 2017. We do not anticipate the NHS-BSA will receive an increase in running costs to administer the new scheme than is currently being provided to the existing schemes. It is important that any allocation to the new arrangement does not impact or compromise on support to beneficiaries. The overall allocation for the schemes, irrespective of provider, remains at £231 million for the period of the current Spending Review.

Health Services: Reciprocal Arrangements

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether his Department has conducted research on replacing or continuing with the European Health Insurance Card scheme once the UK has left the EU.

David Mowat: Nothing has yet been decided on the future of British citizen medical treatment abroad, including whether to replace or to continue the European Health Insurance Card. Government officials are working on considering the positions and options available to us with the aim of achieving the best outcome for British citizens in the United Kingdom and abroad.

NHS: Medical Equipment

Jo Churchill: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate he has made of the cost of unreturned NHS community equipment in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

David Mowat: The information requested is not collected centrally. This is due to many areas having local arrangements for pooled budgets with the local authority under Section 75 of the National Health Service Act 2006 for an integrated community equipment service.

Social Services: Older People

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many elderly people, in each of the last three years for which data is available, have received care which falls below the national minimum standard for social care set by his Department.

David Mowat: The information requested is not available. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is the independent regulator of health and adult social care providers in England. All providers of regulated activities have to register with the CQC and follow a set of fundamental standards of safety and quality below which care should never fall. The fundamental standards describe the basic requirements that providers should always meet, and outline the outcomes that services users should always expect. The CQC assesses providers against the fundamental standards of safety and quality. The CQC has a wide range of enforcement powers that it can use if the provider does not meet them. The ratings published by the CQC for the period up to 6 March 2017 for community based adult social care services, hospice services and residential social care services are set out in the table below: RatingNumber of locations%Outstanding3121.5%Good15,90576.4%Requires improvement4,23520.3%Inadequate3571.7%Total20,809  The CQC update these figures monthly. Please note that for the adult social care sector the CQC rate locations rather than providers.

NHS Shared Business Services: Enfield

Joan Ryan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate he has made of how many (a) Enfield North constituents and (b) London Borough of Enfield residents have been affected by delays in receiving referrals for treatment as a result of the loss of confidential NHS correspondence by NHS Shared Business Services.

Joan Ryan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, with reference to his oral contribution of 27 February 2017, Official Report, column 26, how many of the 708,000 items of confidential NHS correspondence lost by NHS Shared Business Services relate to the medical records of patients from (a) Enfield North constituency and (b) the London Borough of Enfield.

Nicola Blackwood: There has been no loss of correspondence. All correspondence has been securely held, and has now been returned to general practitioner practices or to archives, as appropriate. The information requested is not available at parliamentary constituency or local authority level.

Cancer

Maria Caulfield: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps are being taken to (a) increase the uptake of screening, (b) encourage early diagnosis and (c) improve the lifestyles of people who have had treatment for primary cancer in the Irish community living in England to reduce the disproportionate incidence and mortality from cancers among that community.

David Mowat: The independent Cancer Taskforce reported significant variation across England in screening uptake, patient experience and survival outcomes in the 2015 Cancer Strategy. Public Health England and NHS England are working with general practices with the lowest levels of screening uptake to understand barriers and mechanisms for improvement. In December 2016 NHS England announced that a £200 million fund will be available to Cancer Alliances and the national cancer vanguard over the next two years to specifically support the areas the Cancer Taskforce’s strategy estimated would need additional investment, including supporting earlier diagnosis and the full roll out of the Recovery Package across all communities.

Cancer

Maria Caulfield: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps the (a) National Cancer Intelligence Network and (b) National Cancer Registration and Advisory Service are taking to address gaps in data on (i) screening, (ii) access to services, (iii) cancer staging and (iv) age-related inequalities among the Irish community resident in England.

David Mowat: The National Cancer Intelligence Network was merged with the National Cancer Registration Service in 2016 to form the National Cancer Registration and Analysis Service (NCRAS). Public Health England’s (PHE’s) National Cancer Registration and Analysis Service collects data on all cancers diagnosed in people living in England. NCRAS is working continuously to to improve the quality and completeness of the data held. This includes NCRAS data liaison teams working with the National Health Service trusts to help them submit more high-quality data to the Cancer Register. This has led to more than 85% of cancers diagnosed in 2015 having a complete stage. NCRAS is also working closely with colleagues in PHE Screening to access more screening information in a timely manner. In addition, NCRAS is using multiple data sources to increase the completeness of data on a person’s ethnic group; to the point where this is now known for 92% of cases. Although we have not carried out any assessment on White Irish people, it is recognised that minority ethnic groups have varied experience of access to cancer services. NCRAS is working with Cancer Research UK on the National Cancer Diagnosis Audit which will help identify variation on cancer diagnosis and related inequalties. The audit has recently finished collecting data on patients diagnosed in 2014, with initial results expected in the summer. Age is also an important factor in cancer inequalities, and by collecting date of birth NCRAS is able to incorporate age into any analyses.

Neuromuscular Disorders: Greater Manchester

Rebecca Long Bailey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department is taking to increase specialist neuromuscular consultant support for children attending Royal Manchester Children's Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

David Mowat: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Stretford and Urmston (Kate Green) on 15 December 2016 to Question 56578.

School Milk: East Midlands

Mr Graham Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, (a) how many and (b) what proportion of children aged under five in (i) the Nottingham North constituency, (ii) Nottingham city and (iii) the East Midlands received milk through the Nursery Milk Scheme in the last year for which figures are available.

Nicola Blackwood: These figures are not collected centrally.

Women and Equalities

Equal Pay: Yorkshire and the Humber

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what the gender pay gap for (a) York and (b) Yorkshire and the Humber Region was in each year from 2010.

Caroline Dinenage: The Office of National Statistics publishes the median hourly pay figures outlined below, based on place of residence, annually:(a) York (Unitary Authority)   YearFemale median hourly pay (£)Male median hourly pay (£)Gender pay gap20109.7111.4915.5%20119.4512.0121.3%201210.212.3717.5%201310.0012.9322.7%201410.2212.7920.1%201510.3112.2315.7%201610.6112.9418.0%(b) Yorkshire and The Humber   YearFemale median hourly pay (£)Male median hourly pay (£)Gender pay gap20109.1111.3920.0%20119.0511.3320.1%20129.2411.4819.5%20139.4411.7819.9%20149.4911.6918.8%20159.6311.9419.3%20169.9812.2918.8% The Government has introduced mandatory gender pay gap reporting for large employers from this April to accelerate the rate of progress.